Everything About the Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccine That’s Coming to S’pore

Moriarty, meet Comirnaty.

The vaccine with a tongue-twister of a name that is also of spelling-bee-calibre is Singapore’s latest import in its effort to accelerate its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, but fret not, it is basically the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine we are all so familiar with and love.

“Huh, then why is the same thing called Comi—Comri—”

Confused by more than the name now? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Everything About the Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccine That’s Coming to S’pore

According to a Ministry of Health (MOH) statement reported by The Straits Times, these Comirnaty vaccines are, in fact, identical to the Pfizer-BioNTech ones.

Yep, they have the same composition, manufactured with the same processes, and are assessed according to the same specifications.

“Comirnaty” is hence simply the brand name for the vaccine, chosen by Pfizer and BioNTech, much like how paracetamol is named “Panadol”.

The name, apparently, is concocted from a combination of “COVID-19”, “mRNA”, “community”, and “immunity”, though it just sounds like some former Soviet nuclear missile facility somewhere in Kazakhstan.

The vaccine is also known by BNT162b2—in case “Comirnaty” is too long or confuzzling for you, or “tozinamera”—in case you needed a name that made more sense. We’re not actually sure which name is the easiest to pronounce though, so pick your poison.

To accommodate these new shots, MOH will be adjusting the name of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in their records to Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty.

If the new name scares you off (because, obviously, something like “Pfizer” with a silent “P” and “BioNTech” with its random capitalisations don’t), you can still opt for the Moderna vaccines, which use a similar technology and is also part of the national vaccination drive.

Ah, now “Moderna” I can pronounce!

In fact, please do consider choosing Moderna, since community clubs offering the Moderna shot are apparently highly undersubscribed, and early appointment slots remain amply available, according to CNA. Hm, I wonder what beef people have with Moderna.

(Disclaimer: Goody Feed is not sponsored by Moderna.)

The Sinovac vaccine, as has been previously announced, is also available under the Special Access Route framework at 24 selected private clinics. 

The Chinese jab is wildly popular among Chinese expatriates, though those looking to demonstrate their socialist credentials should be warned that the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme, meant for the public vaccination programme, will not apply. 

Vaccination appointments for the Sinovac vaccine will also be subject to consultation and administrative fees. How ironically capitalist.

Either way, more than 50% of the Singaporean population have been given at least one vaccine shot, while about 36% have completed their vaccination regimen.

Don’t we love herd immunity? At this rate, maybe we can… soon… I don’t know… dine in… in groups of more than two?

Funny how much a year-and-a-half changes things.

To know more about COVID-19 vaccines in Singapore, watch this video to the end:

Feature Image: Nadezda Murmakova / Shutterstock.com