Singapore Offers Non-mRNA Vaccines

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) reported on June 4, 2021, about 4.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered. However, there are about 32,000 individuals who are not able to take the mRNA vaccines due to severe allergies.

There are also approximately 2,000 individuals who had developed anaphylaxis or allergic reactions (hives, face/ eyelid/ lip/ throat swelling, generalized rash) within 7 days after vaccination due to the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

The MOH says, 'This group should not receive an mRNA-based vaccine again.'

To protect them against COVID-19, the MOH is evaluating and will bring into Singapore non-mRNA vaccines that are more suitable for them.

Since the MOH has 200,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine in stock, the MOH will invite private healthcare institutions licensed under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act to apply to be providers for the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine.

The CoronaVac COVID-19 Vaccine is based on an inactivated pathogen made by growing the whole virus in a lab and then killing it. Furthermore, CoronaVac is a 2-dose β-propiolactone-inactivated, aluminum hydroxide-adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine administered on a 0/14-28-day schedule to prevent COVID-19 disease.