31,500 people aged 18 and above yet to book COVID-19 booster dose; risk losing vaccination status: MOH

SINGAPORE: About 31,500 people aged 18 and above who are eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine booster dose have not made an appointment to do so, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday (Feb 8).

These individuals took the last dose of their primary series more than 270 days ago and risk losing their fully vaccinated status from Feb 14.

As announced previously, their vaccination status will revert to "additional dose needed" if they do not get their booster shot by Feb 14.

“This will also apply to individuals who received recognised non-mRNA primary vaccination regimens offered under the national vaccination programme, such as three doses of the Sinovac-CoronaVac or Sinopharm vaccines, as well as regimens of other World Health Organization emergency use listing vaccines," said MOH.

The ministry urged these people to make their appointments or to walk into any vaccination centre to receive their booster doses as soon as possible. Walk-ins are accepted at vaccination centres from Mondays to Thursdays before 7pm.

Once they receive their booster doses, these individuals will continue to be considered fully vaccinated.

“Those who are medically ineligible for mRNA vaccines may consider taking the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine as a booster vaccine," MOH added.

"The Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine is otherwise not recommended as a booster vaccine."

Those who are unsure about whether they need a booster dose can check their status using MOH's online vaccination and booster calculator.