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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MINSA) has softened its COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for certain groups of people, including those with multiple allergies that are not anaphylactic in nature.
The ministry had previously advised people with a history of multiple allergies to defer receiving mRNA-based vaccines.
New evidence has shown that these people can be vaccinated as long as they do not have life-threatening signs or symptoms suggesting anaphylaxis, the Health Ministry said in its vaccination guidelines that were updated on Saturday (March 13).
“It is the severity of the allergy, and not the number of allergies, that determines whether a person can be vaccinated,” the MOH said.
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Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the only two approved in Singapore to date, are mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.
Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening reaction with two or more of the following three criteria:
– Hives or swelling of the face / eyelids / lips / throat
– Difficulty breathing
– dizziness
Anyone with a history of receiving a prescription for Epi-Pen suggests a risk of anaphylaxis and should not be vaccinated at this time, the Health Ministry said.
A person with a family, but no personal history of anaphylaxis, can proceed with the vaccination.
Those with a history of an allergic reaction to other vaccines may be allergic to specific components of the vaccine that may be present in a COVID-19 injection.
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CANCER PATIENTS
The Ministry of Health also updated its guidelines for those who can receive COVID-19 injections to include people who have active cancer, as long as they have not received chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy in the last three months and do not plan to undergo these treatments in the next three months. two months.
Also, people in remission can get vaccinated, as can those on active hormone therapy for cancer.
Women who are breastfeeding can receive the vaccine, but may consider stopping breastfeeding for five to seven days after receiving the vaccine, the Health Ministry added.
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People who have recovered from COVID-19 and have not completed their vaccination can receive a single dose of vaccine, according to the revised guidelines.
“This applies to recovered people who are not vaccinated and to recovered people who had received a dose of the vaccine before becoming infected,” the Health Ministry said.
“There is evidence to show that a single dose of vaccine can further boost immunity against COVID-19 in people who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection.”
Those who are allergic to any of the mRNA vaccines and cannot receive their second dose “may have suitable alternatives in the future,” the Health Ministry said.
Anyone who thinks they might be severely immunosuppressed and unfit to receive an mRNA-based vaccine should discuss the matter with their doctor.
People at vaccination sites will also be accessed to determine their suitability to receive the vaccine, the Health Ministry said.
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Singapore is still awaiting approval of a third vaccine for use, the single injection vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech of China.
Unlike the two already approved here, the Sinovac vaccine uses inactivated vaccine technology, which uses virus particles that have been destroyed to stimulate our bodies to produce an immune response. This vaccine is similar to the flu vaccine.
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