Singapore studying effectiveness and safety of Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and older

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination are currently studying the effectiveness and safety of Moderna's and Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccines in young children. 

The study will look at the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six months to five years, and Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for those aged six months to four years. 

“We are engaging the respective vaccine manufacturers to obtain the relevant information to facilitate a risk-benefit evaluation of the use of these vaccines in this age group,” said MOH on Monday (Jun 20) in response to media queries. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday recommended COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as six months, allowing a nationwide rollout to start next week. The CDC's move came after a panel of advisers voted to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for those children.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorised Moderna's shot for children aged six months to five years, and Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for children aged six months to four years. Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine is already authorised for children over the age of five in the US.

The Health Ministry began its vaccination exercise for children aged five to 11 on Dec 27 last year. 

In an update in January, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said no serious adverse effects were reported for those in that age group who received their jabs as of end-December. 

All individuals regardless of age, who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, can walk in for their primary vaccination series and booster doses every day of the week, before 7pm. 

No prior appointment is necessary, according to the MOH website. 

Children aged five to 11 can walk in with their parents or guardians to any paediatric vaccination centre to receive their vaccination doses. Those aged 12 to 17 can visit any vaccination centre offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

As of Sunday, 92 per cent of the total population have completed their full COVID-19 vaccination regimen. About 77 per cent have received their booster shots.