First Shipment of Moderna’s Covid-19 Vaccine Has Arrived Early in S’pore

The very first batch of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Singapore ahead of schedule.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine on 3 February, to be used in individuals aged 18 years and above. It was the second approved vaccine in Singapore, following the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved on 14 December 2020.

The Moderna’s COVID-19 flew in via a Singapore Airlines (SIA) freighter SQ7137 from Brussels, Belgium and landed in Singapore at approximately 1.40 pm on 17 Feb, almost two weeks ahead of schedule. The Moderna vaccine was expected to arrive in March.

Much like any SIA Business Class traveller, the vaccine was prioritised for loading in Brussels and unloading in Singapore.

It looks like the vaccine has become a more important airline passenger than any of us. We can only watch in envy as it travels from Europe to Asia and wish that we were on that plane too.

Prior to the arrival of the Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, another batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had also arrived in Singapore.

But Is It Safe? Moderna vs Pfizer-BioNTech

Many Singaporeans are still hesitant about the vaccines, and are worried that they may cause subsequent negative reactions.

But not to worry, our ministers are here to assuage your fears!

On 8 January, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination and said, “We are confident that the vaccine is safe and effective.”

He received his second dose on 29 January and in a statement to the press, PM Lee said that he was “glad to report that just like [his] first jab, it was quick and painless.”

Moderna vaccine
The Moderna vaccine has a high vaccine efficacy rate of 94 per cent, and it requires two doses 28 days apart. Some common side effects include pain, swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, fever, chills, vomiting, and joint pain.

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
Whereas, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has a slightly higher efficacy rate of 95 per cent and requires two doses of vaccine 21 days apart. Some side effects that individuals may experience include pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhoea and joint pain.

Just to put it into perspective, your chances of winning any prize in 4D is 1 in 435; that’s 0.22 per cent.

Side Effects Will Subside

As HSA said in a press release, there is really no reason to be afraid of side effects as these symptoms are reactions usually associated with vaccines and expected as part of the normal response of the body to create immunity against COVID-19. Typically, these side effects resolve within a few days on their own.

So, Why Should You Get Vaccinated?

Like the TraceTogether initiative, having more individuals vaccinated would allow us to re-open further.

Yes, that could mean gatherings of more than 8 people and the possibility of travel!

While the vaccine is voluntary, the Government encourages all who are eligible to be vaccinated to ensure the safety of society.

In a Facebook post, PM Lee said “Do go for your vaccination when your turn comes. It will protect not only yourself, but also your family, friends and everyone you come in contact with.”

Besides, it’s free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore! Need we say more? Singaporeans’ favourite word is “free”, after all.

Unfortunately, both the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and Moderna vaccine have not been approved for use of pregnant women, severely immunocompromised persons and those under the age of 18.

When is it Your Turn?

Currently, the vaccination programme is underway with priority given to:

• Those at high risk of COVID-19 infection such as healthcare staff and frontline workers, and
• Those who are most vulnerable to serious diseases and complications if they become ill with COVID-19, such as the elderly (aged 70 and above) and persons with medical comorbidities (those with 2 or more diseases/diseases at the same time).

Minister Lawrence Wong assured Singaporeans that the government “will continue to monitor our supplies closely, to meet our target of vaccinating all Singaporeans and long-term residents by the end of this year”.

So, if our ministers have done a lovely job of reassuring you, why not consider getting vaccinated soon?

For more information, click here.

Feature Image: Shutterstock.com / Giovanni Cancemi