Vaccine Guidance
1. What is the interval required between the two initial vaccine doses for the primary series?
Please refer to the following table for the minimum and recommended interverals for each of the COVID-19 vaccines:
Vaccine
|
Minimum Interval
|
Recommended Interval
|
Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty
|
21 days
|
56 days
|
Moderna/Spikevax
|
28 days
|
56 days
|
Novavax/Nuvaxovid
|
21 days
|
56 days
|
Sinovac/CoronaVac
|
28 days
|
56 days
|
Please also refer to the vaccine combinations in the Quick Reference Guide for other variations.
2. What is the required interval for an individual to be eligible for additional COVID-19 vaccine dose after the primary series?
Minimum interval: At least 150 days after the last COVID-19 vaccine dose was administered.
Recommended interval: 1 year after the last COVID-19 vaccine dose was administered.
3. If the patient has already received a 5th COVID-19 vaccine dose and is still interested in receiving another dose, should the dose be administered? If so, how should this be classified in PRPP?
Yes, the dose may be administered if the patient is clinically eligible and meets the minimum required interval between vaccinations.
The dose should be classified as "Booster A" in PRPP.
4. If the patient is unsure or unaware of any existing drug allergies, should the clinic still proceed with the vaccination?
Doctors will need to exercise due diligence when asking the patient if he/she has developed any adverse reaction from the previous vaccine
doses before proceeding with the vaccination.
5. Can individuals with a history of allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine or polyethylene glycol (PEG) receive the Pfizer monovalent XBB vaccine?
Individuals who have previously developed anaphylaxis in response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines or their components [including polyethylene glycol (PEG)] should not receive an mRNA-based vaccine containing these components again.
6. Do clinics need to obtain and retain the hard copy vaccination consent form submitted by patients?
Clinics may retain the hard-copy or a digital version of the vaccination consent form for their records. For digital records, clinics are required to adhere to PDPA guidelines.
7. Should clinics proceed to administer the vaccination if the patient’s overseas vaccination records cannot be ingested?
Clinics are advised to seek assistance to ingest the overseas vaccination record first before administering the vaccination to prevent any vaccination errors.
8. If the clinic has some doses remaining in an opened vaccine vial at the end of the evening, can the doses be stored and administered the next morning as the vial would have been opened for fewer than 12 hours?
For patient safety, clinics are advised to discard the opened vial and declare it as wastage. Nevertheless, it is the clinic's responsibility to minimise vaccine wastage where possible.
9. For individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 prior to receiving their first COVID-19 dose, how many vaccine doses do they need to receive in order to complete their primary series?
It is recommended that individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 prior to or after their first COVID-19 vaccination to receive 2 vaccine doses to complete their primary series.
Supply-Chain
10. Can the mRNA vaccines be supplied in single-dose vials?
Currently, the mRNA vaccines are supplied in multi-vial doses only.
11. I tried to place an order via
eZRx, Zuellig Pharma's online ordering portal, but was unable to locate certain items. Who can help me with this?
For issues with eZRx, please email Zuellig Pharma at SGZPSCSOrdersMailbox@zuelligpharma.com with a screenshot and a brief description of the issue.
12. How should orders for vaccines and medical supplies to Zuellig Pharma be placed and will daily PRPP reporting continue?
Orders should be placed using eZRx, Zuellig Pharma's online ordering portal. PRPP daily reporting (doses administered, utilisation, wastage, etc.) will continue and clinics will be required to continue submitting the required information.
13.
Will vaccine vials need to be thawed before use? Can they be stored at room temperature once the vials have been opened, if the ambient temperature is between 20 ˚C and 23 ˚C?
Vials will be delivered to clinics at a temperature between 2˚C to 8˚C. They should then be stored in a refrigerator with the temperature maintained between 2˚C and 8˚C, and this temperature must be monitored. Please refer to the "Logistics" section of the vaccine-specific Operations Instructions for information on Vaccine Handling and Storage. For patient comfort, the vaccine may be brought to ambient temperature prior to administration.
14.
Are unused doses within an opened vaccine vial considered wastage under PRPP reporting?
For stock accountability purpose, please record any unused doses remaining in opened vials as wastage.
To avoid vaccine wastage, clinics may advise patients to reschedule if it is possible to batch the vaccinations with those of other vaccinees to maximise the usage of all doses within a single vial of the vaccine.
15.
If a patient is assessed to be ineligible for vaccination, can the unused vaccine dose that was stored at room temperature for 20 minutes to an hour be returned to the fridge to be administered the next day?
Please refer to the "Logistics" section of the vaccine-specific Operations Instructions for information on Vaccine Handling and Storage.
16. What should clinics do if they are not able to draw the required number of doses from a multi-dose vaccine vial?
Clinics may use low dead volume (LDV) syringes or needles to facilitate the extraction of the desired number of doses to make the most of each multi-dose vaccine vial.
17. How should unused vaccines which have expired or are soon to expire be handled?
Vaccination Providers should monitor the stock expiry and transfer any excess stock to fellow Vaccination Providers at the first instance, to reduce wastage. If necessary, PHPCs should contact their
Account Managers at least 2 weeks before expiry for MOH redistribution of the excess stock, subject to availability of vaccination sites that are able to consume before expiry. Please complete this
form to return or transfer any unused vaccination vials that have expired or will soon expire.
Policy
18. It was stated in the MOH Circulars 13/2024 and
12/2024, as well as the patient information sheets that men aged 12-29 years should avoid strenuous physical activity or intense exercise for one week after each COVID-19 dose. What exactly is considered strenuous physical activity?
Strenuous physical activity is defined as an activity which results in a sudden or significant increase in heart rate. Examples include running, competitive sports, and playing ball games. Participating in such activities within a week of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination may lead to myocarditis and cause cardiac arrest.
19. Can a 5 year old who previously received one vaccine dose for infants receive a second dose for infants instead of one for paediatrics to complete his/her primary series?
Children who have previously received a first vaccination dose for infants or paediatrics can receive the same infant/paediatric vaccine for their second dose to complete the primary series.
20. Can patients wait outside the consult room in the waiting area for 15 minutes during the observation period following administration of the vaccine, and report if they are unwell?
There is no longer a stipulated period of observation after administration of a COVID-19 vaccination, other than for persons at an increased risk of anaphylaxis who should be observed for 30 minutes. These individuals include those who have had a past history of (1) Allergic reactions (that is, immediate hypersensitivity reactions) to other COVID-19 vaccines or (2) Any anaphylaxis.
The purpose of the observation is to detect any allergy or adverse reaction post vaccination. Vaccinees should be within sight of a health care worker during the observation period.
21. Which groups are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine under the National Vaccination Programme (NVP)?
Singapore Citizens (SC), Permanent Residents (PR), Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) holders and Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) holders, who have validity period of at least 60 days remaining are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under the NVP.
Short-Term Visit Pass holders whose remaining validity is shorter than 60 days should receive their vaccinations under the Private Vaccination Programme (PVP).
22. What are the minimum COVID-19 vaccination requirements for the In Principle Approval (IPA) for the application and renewal of work permits for pass holders?
As of 1st March 2024, COVID-19 vaccination requirements are no longer required for all pass holders. Please refer to the
Ministry of Manpower's website for more information.
23. Can a patient who has received 2 doses Sinopharm receive a dose of Pfizer XBB to complete the primary series?
Patients may receive one dose of Pfizer XBB 150 days after the second dose of Sinopharm to complete the primary series. Please refer to the
Vaccination Combinations for more information.
24. If a patient received 1 dose of Sinopharm overseas, when can he/she receive a dose of Pfizer XBB to complete the primary series?
Patients may receive 1 dose of Pfizer XBB 56 days from the last dose of Sinopharm to complete their primary series. Please refer to the
Vaccination Combinations for more information.
25. My clinic is registered to administer Moderna XBB for individuals aged 12 years and above. Can I vaccinate an 11 year old since the only difference is the volume of the vaccine drawn?
No, clinics registered to vaccinate individuals of specific age groups should not be vaccinating individuals of other ages.
Clinics who wish to vaccinate individuals of other age groups are advised to contact their AIC Account Manager.
26. For patients on cancer treatment, does the memo to proceed with COVID-19 vaccination need to be in hard-copy format?
Clinics are required to adhere to good documentation practices both for hard copy medical documents (e.g. clinical note) or electronic records.
27. For foreigners without Foreign Identification Numbers (FIN), should the clinic collect their passport numbers instead, in order to administer the COVID-19 vaccination?
As there are currently no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for work pass issuance, patients should return for vaccination after they have obtained their FINs. Alternatively, the clinic may suggest for the patient to receive the vaccination under the PVP where the cost will be borne by the patient.
28. If the patient has both NRIC and FIN numbers, which should the clinic use as an identifier prior to vaccination?
Clinics should register the patient and record the dose using the patient's NRIC as an identifier. If the patient's vaccination history is captured with the FIN as an identifier, please advise the patient to contact MOH to have his/her records updated.
29. How should the clinic handle a situation where a patient visits with an overseas memo for COVID-19 vaccination exemption?
There is currently no requirement for individuals to receive their COVID-19 vaccination, hence the overseas memo is not needed. However, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for individuals aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable individuals and residents of aged care facilities, and encouraged for individuals aged 6 months and above, in particular, healthcare workers, as well as household members and caregivers of medically vulnerable individuals.
Finance
30. How can clinics claim GST for administering the COVID-19 vaccination?
GST claims for COVID-19 vaccinations under the NVP are automated as long as the clinic is GST registered. You may contact your
AIC Manager for more information.
Others
31. What should GPs do if they are unable to determine the content/information in patients' overseas vaccination certifications for ingestion into the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) records?
GPs should not ingest overseas vaccination records into NIR if they are unable to determine the vaccine taken by the patient.
32. Who can clinics contact when faced with technical issues with PRPP?
Clinic should contact their AIC Account Manager when facing issues with PRPP.
Please feel free to refer to answers to other frequently asked questions here.
