Singapore simplifies COVID-19 vaccination regimen: A shift to two doses for essential protection

SINGAPORE: Effective from 1 March, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore has eased mask-wearing requirements in lower-risk settings, as outlined in a press release on Thursday (29 Feb).

This adjustment is part of the ongoing efforts to fine-tune Singapore’s response to COVID-19, which includes updates to vaccine recommendations.

In outpatient settings such as polyclinics, general practitioner clinics, specialist outpatient clinics, dialysis centers, traditional Chinese medicine clinics, and dental clinics, mask-wearing will no longer be mandatory for patients, visitors, and staff.

However, the MOH strongly encourages individuals in these settings, particularly medically vulnerable persons, seniors, and those with acute respiratory infections (ARI), to continue wearing masks.

For higher-risk healthcare settings like inpatient wards, emergency departments, and residential care facilities, mask-wearing remains compulsory to enhance infection control practices.

“We intend for this to be a standing requirement, to improve general infection control practices in these areas,” MOH stated.

While inpatients and residents aren’t required to wear masks, MOH suggests doing so as a precaution if they feel unwell or show symptoms of respiratory infections.

This revised approach comes approximately a year after Singapore lowered its disease alert level to green on 13 February 2023, within the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) framework.

Highlighting that Singapore has been managing COVID-19 as an endemic disease for a year, enduring two significant infection waves without imposing further restrictions, the MOH emphasizes the collective resilience of the population.

“Taking into consideration the stronger collective resilience of our population, the Ministry of Health will progressively stand down the remaining COVID-19 response protocols, and integrate them into our broader public health programmes from 1 March 2024,” MOH stated.

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have been updated to simplify the vaccination process.

For those who haven’t been vaccinated, two initial doses are now considered sufficient for essential protection, down from the previous recommendation of three doses.

The expert committee on COVID-19 vaccination advises individuals to follow prevailing recommendations for additional doses based on factors like age and medical conditions.

This change is attributed to the likelihood that most people have had one or more COVID-19 infections, providing some underlying protection even for the unvaccinated.

“A sequence of two vaccine doses will be sufficient to ensure an essential level of protection for unvaccinated persons,” the expert committee added.

Beyond the initial doses to achieve minimum protection, MOH said people should still go for any additional doses being offered or recommended to them.

MOH adjusts COVID-19 vaccination centers and transitions to new advisory committee

MOH responds to stable demand for COVID-19 vaccination by closing operations at four Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres (JTVCs) from April 1 – Ang Mo Kio, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, and Yishun.

Individuals wanting vaccinations at these locations are encouraged to do so by 30 March 2024.

Five remaining JTVCs are located at Bukit Merah, Jurong East, Kaki Bukit, Sengkang, and Woodlands.

COVID-19 vaccinations will continue at over 200 participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) and polyclinics islandwide, with efforts to expand accessibility through additional GP clinics and polyclinics.

To find vaccination sites and offered vaccine types, the public can visit https://gowhere.gov.sg/vaccine.

Appointments for PHPCs can be made at https://book.health.gov.sg or through the HealthHub system for selected polyclinics.

Walk-ins are also welcome at JTVCs without an appointment.

The responsibility of The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V), appointed on 5 October 2020, will also shift to the Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI) as their term ends on 31 March 2024.

This standing committee will persist in advising the government on COVID-19 vaccination and national immunization recommendations, ensuring a strong strategy based on the latest scientific evidence and epidemiological trends.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) expresses gratitude to EC19V for their dedication and expertise.

MOH enhances reporting and urges continued public vigilance

MOH also announced that, from 1 March 2024, COVID-19 surveillance statistics will be reported in alignment with other infectious diseases monitored by MOH, such as influenza.

This consolidated information will be made available in the Weekly Infectious Diseases Bulletin, accessible through the MOH website.

“Even as we take these steps to integrate our COVID-19 response into our broader public health programmes, MOH will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, both domestic and international, and update our public health strategies to protect the health and well-being of all Singaporeans,” MOH stated

“We seek the support of the public to keep up to date with their vaccination and exercise social responsibility. In this way, we can continue to protect ourselves and our families, especially our seniors and the medically vulnerable.”