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Swimming, cycling and PE should be avoided after COVID-19 vaccination jabs: MOH

03:03 Min
Strenuous activities such as swimming, cycling and running should be avoided for one week after the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccination, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its latest advisory. Sherlyn Seah with more.

SINGAPORE: Strenuous activities such as swimming, cycling and running should be avoided for one week after the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccination, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its latest advisory.

Jogging, lifting heavy weights, competitive sports, physical education as well as ball and racket games should also be avoided.

Physical activities that are deemed “safe” include stretching or working while standing, “casual walking” and housework, said MOH. 

The Health Ministry’s latest advisory follows an updated recommendation on Monday (Jul 5) which advised those who have been vaccinated to avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity for a week after any dose of the jab.

(Image: Ministry of Health)

On Tuesday,​​​​​​​ an MOE spokesperson told CNA that schools and institutes of higher learning have been excusing students from physical activity for one week after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination, whether it is for the first or second dose. 

"All physical education and co-curricular activity (CCA) teachers check in with students before the start of these activities," said the spokesperson.

MOE has also advised all parents and students to be mindful of any potential side effects from the vaccination - particularly if they were to develop chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heartbeats. These students should seek medical attention promptly.

"MOE will continue to work with MOH and (the) Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to closely monitor students who have experienced adverse reactions after the vaccination, so that appropriate care is given to these students promptly," said the spokesperson.

READ: Side effects, infection risks and post-COVID-19 school life: Tackling vaccine concerns for kids

The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination said on Monday that the advisory applied in particular to adolescents and men under 30 years old.

In its previous recommendation on Jun 11, the committee had cautioned against strenuous physical activity for a week after the second dose. 

The new advice was made given “emerging data on the small risk of myocarditis and pericarditis” observed after vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, said the expert committee.

MOH said on Monday that it is investigating a case of a 16-year-old boy who suffered cardiac arrest six days after receiving his first dose of COVID-19 vaccination.  

MOH said it was alerted to the incident by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) on Jul 3.

The boy was treated at the hospital that day after he collapsed at home in the morning, following weightlifting at the gym.

He was subsequently transferred to National University Hospital (NUH), where he is in critical condition at the intensive care unit.

READ: Reopening borders vital to recovery, but COVID-19 vaccinations must first be sped up: Lawrence Wong 

MOH said the teenager received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine on Jun 27. He was assessed by trained healthcare workers to be suitable for the vaccination, was observed on-site for about 30 minutes after vaccination and was well.

He was also well for the following five days after vaccination, said the ministry.

"Prior to his collapse on Jul 3, he did weightlifting at the gym. MOH understands that he trains with very heavy weights which were above his body weight," said the ministry.

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Source: CNA/zl

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