Singapore launches a more effective "mRNA + Sinovac" vaccine mix

The Ministry of Health of Singapore (MOH, 新加坡衛生部) cooperated with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) to allow people who are allergic to the first dose of the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine to receive the China Sinovac vaccine when they receive their second dose of the mRNA. Then they should check for any side effects to thoroughly understand the differences between the level of immunity produced by the different Covid-19 vaccines.

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Singapore has studied vaccine mixing to reduce side effects. Photo/Retrieved from "The Straits Times"

According to the "The Straits Times", about 3,600 people in Singapore developed allergic symptoms after receiving the first dose of the mRNA vaccine. To better understand the differences in the degree of immunity brought about by the different vaccines, MOH announced on July 1 that it will cooperate with NCID to monitor and research people who are willing to receive the second dose using the Sinovac vaccine. At present, more than 1,400 people have expressed their interest in participating in the "mRNA first, then Sinovac second" (SAM) research project, and report any symptoms or reactions they experience.

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Sinovac has not yet been included in Singapore's national vaccination plan. Photo/Retrieved from "The Straits Times"

However, the vaccines currently available in Singapore are Pfizer (輝瑞), Moderna (莫德納), and Sinovac (科興). But since China cannot provide strong proof of the effectiveness of the protection provided by the Sinovac vaccine, it has not yet been included in Singapore’s national vaccination plan. Although the government approved 24 private clinics to use their existing stocks of the Sinovac vaccine in early June, the government still did not fully recognize its effectiveness.

People who want to be vaccinated with Sinovac will have to do it at their own expense, and they will not receive the benefits given by the government to people who received mRNA vaccines. Also, before participating in big events, they cannot be exempt from further testing unlike people who received mRNA vaccines.