We are all keen to get life ‘back to normal’ and a vaccine looks like the first step towards regaining our old lives. Unsurprisingly there is a lot of media attention at the moment on various vaccines development initiatives. But what does this mean for Singapore? Here is a top-line summary.
What vaccines have been developed?
There are at least 48 COVID-19 vaccine candidates in clinical trials around the world. Some are beginning to be rolled out for mass vaccination programmes. The front-runners are detailed below:
Oxford University -AstraZeneca (UK)
Type of vaccine: Viral vector (i.e. a genetically modified virus)
Doses: 2
Days between doses: 28
Efficacy: 62-90% (the data is still being reviewed)
Moderna (USA)
Type of vaccine: RNA (part of the virus genetic code)
Doses: 2
Days between doses: 28
Efficacy: 95%
Pfizer-BioNTech (USA / Germany)
Type of vaccine: RNA (part of the virus genetic code)
Doses: 2
Days between doses: 28
Efficacy: 95%
Gamaleya (Sputnik V) (Russia)
Type of vaccine: Viral vector
Doses: 2
Days between doses: 21
Efficacy: 95% (Russia is yet to provide solid efficacy data)
Sinopharm (China)
Type of vaccine: Inactivated virus
Doses: 2
Days between doses: 14-21
Efficacy: unknown (China yet to provide solid efficacy data)
Sinovac (China)
Type of vaccine: Inactivated virus
Doses: 2
Days between doses: 14
Efficacy: unknown (China yet to provide solid efficacy data)
Which vaccine will Singapore receive?
We do not know this yet. It is understood the government is working to secure a portfolio of vaccines.
How many vaccines does Singapore require?
Singapore will need approximately 8 million vaccines. This number assumes the aim is to immunise 70% of the population with a 2-dose vaccine.
Who will get the vaccine first?
Singapore will probably be in line with other countries where front line workers and the vulnerable will receive the vaccine first.
When will vaccines be available in Singapore?
Unfortunately we do not have clear visibility in terms of timings. We all hope that it will be soon. We will keep our patients up to date on developments.
Dr Tsin Uin Foong is a UK trained doctor based at Raffles Hotel Arcade clinic. Please call: +65 6332 2727
