SINGAPORE – Other eligible people who need to get their first dose of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine will be required to do so until December 1, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement on Tuesday, November 28.
The Novavax vaccine will no longer be available in the National Immunization Program (NVP) from 2024 as its current formulation, based on the original strain of Covid-19, is no longer provided through the manufacturer. Singapore’s existing inventory expires on December 31.
U. S. biotech company Novavax is in the process of applying for regulatory approval for its updated formulations of the XBB. 1. 5 Covid-19 vaccine, the Health Ministry said.
The technical name for the Novavax vaccine is NVX-CoV2373. In Europe, it is manufactured under the name Nuvaxovid.
The Novavax vaccine is a protein-based vaccine that teaches the body’s immune system to create antibodies to fight the coronavirus’ spike protein, which it uses to enter human cells. It is not a mRNA vaccine.
In February 2022, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) approved the use of Novavax vaccine for individuals here aged 18 and above. This made the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine the first non-mRNA vaccine recommended as a booster dose by the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination (EC19V).
In May 2023, MOH extended the use of Novavax to individuals aged 12 to 17 years old.
The Ministry of Health said that those who wish to receive their first dose of Novavax will have to do so until December 1 and that this will prevent accepting new people vaccinated with the existing Novavax vaccine. This is to give them enough time to complete their number one vaccination series by December 31.
Those who have already received one dose of the vaccine will be asked to take their second dose by Dec. 31 to complete their number one vaccination series.
People who have completed their first vaccination and wish to receive the Novavax vaccine for minimum coverage or as an additional dose must also do so until December 31, with a minimum period of five months after their last dose.
They can call any of the participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) to make appointments for the Novavax jab.
From Jan 1, 2024, people can receive the mRNA vaccines at MOH’s joint testing and vaccination centres, polyclinics and PHPCs.
Those who are not medically eligible to receive the mRNA vaccine could choose to receive the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, which will be available under the NVP until September 30, 2024.
Another option is to take the Sinopharm vaccine, which can be obtained from private clinics that have implemented its use as part of the special pathway.
This article first appeared in The Straits Times. Permission is required for reproduction.