Booster11/6/2023 This is because the level of antibodies rises significantly two weeks after a booster, and remains high for several months, thus providing short-term protection against infection. Prof Hsu said that there is no real risk other than sore arms and a bit of fatigue if they had received the earlier doses uneventfully.īut he said: “The benefit is also negligible unless they have very strong reasons for wanting to minimise the risk of symptomatic Covid-19 for a couple of months.” Q: Younger people are less likely to get seriously ill if infected, so do they really need to get a booster? This is because “with open borders, more travel, and removal of restrictions such as face masks, new variants can arise and spread quickly”. So it is important for medically vulnerable persons to be protected by strengthening their immunity with a Covid-19 booster, ideally within 12 months from their last dose.” She said: “Antibody levels generally drop over time, although immune memory persists. Do you plan to travel and what is the Covid-19 situation like at the travel destination?.Was your most recent booster vaccine more than 12 months ago?.Are you at risk of Covid-19 complications because of your age (the Ministry of Health recommends booster vaccines for people aged 60 and older) and medical conditions?.Prof Lim, however, urged people who answer “yes” to any of the following not to wait, but to get a booster now: Q: Since the new vaccines are better, there’s no point in getting a booster jab now, right? We should all wait for the new ones to become available here.Ī: Both Prof Hsu and Dr Kurup say it would make sense to wait for the new vaccines, which should be available here by the end of October. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung recently cautioned that with falling vaccination take-up rates here, “over time, our protection against Covid-19 will weaken”. While this is far lower than the numbers seen in April and May, which peaked at over 28,000 a week, it remains significant as 151 people were hospitalised that week, with two needing intensive care. In the week of Sept 3, more than 7,000 people here were diagnosed with Covid-19. Q: The pandemic is over, so why is Singapore bringing in more Covid-19 vaccines?Ī: The pandemic may be over, but the virus is still circulating. Is there really still a need for such vaccines now that the pandemic is over? For those who are due for their booster jabs, should they wait for the new vaccines? Here’s what the experts say. Both are monovalent, targeting the XBB.1.5 Covid-19 strain. The Health Sciences Authority has approved Pfizer’s new vaccine and is reviewing Moderna’s vaccine. SINGAPORE – The Republic will be bringing in the latest Covid-19 vaccines by the end of October.
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