NCID: First Batch of People Who Receive COVID-19 in S’pore Reported No Side Effects

Here’s the latest Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine update: It’s going really, really well.

Previously, it was reported that Singapore has received its first batch of Covid-19 vaccine and the Singapore government has assured that vaccinations will be free for residents and optional.

Well, if you’ve been struggling, wondering if you should get vaccinated when the time comes, this article might just help you decide.

NCID: First Batch of People Who Receive COVID-19 in S’pore Reported No Side Effects

According to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), the first 40 healthcare workers has received the vaccination safely and reported no significant side effects so far.

A senior consultant with NCID, Dr Kalisvar Marimuthu, said that the jab was less painful than other vaccinations he’s experienced.

He added that generally, you’ll feel a bit of pain in the arm and sometimes, “a little bit more than that, like a fever”.

Reporting on his own status after receiving the jab on Wednesday, he said that he’s feeling fine and alert so far.

Another healthcare worker who received the jab, 40-year-old NCID senior staff nurse Sarah Lim, said that there was no swelling, redness or any other side effects “for now”.

Describing the process, Lim said that other than the initial pain, she proceeded with her life as per normal.

The only thing that changed is her reminding herself to “drink more water”.

Typical side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine include fever, fatigue, headaches and soreness in the arm.

Experts said that these side effects will typically disappear within hours or days.

Nonetheless, the first batch will continue to be monitored and report any side effects and symptoms to the authorities.

They will take their second dose on 21 Jan 2021.

More Healthcare Workers To Be Vaccinated In The Coming Weeks

As revealed before, the vaccination plan for Singapore is to administer it to the vulnerable (the elderly) and those who need it more (frontline and healthcare workers).

Then, it’ll be gradually rolled out to the rest of the population over time.

There will be reportedly enough vaccine for every person in Singapore by the third quarter of this year (2021).

More healthcare workers will receive free vaccinations in the coming weeks.

After that, from Feb 2021, elderly persons above 70 years old will get the vaccines.

This will be followed by other Singaporeans and long-term residents who are medically eligible.

People with a history of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions), as well as pregnant ladies, people with immuno-compromised conditions and individuals below 16 years old, are advised not to get the vaccination yet.

More Individuals Need To Be Vaccinated Due To UK Covid-19 Variant

The UK variant of the Covid-19 virus, which is said to be 70% more transmissible than existing variants, has been detected in Singapore.

While our Covid-19 safe distancing measures are adequate protection against it, an expert is of the opinion that more people will now need to be vaccinated.

Instead of the originally proposed 80%, it’s suggested, now, that 90% of the population receive the vaccination.

While getting the vaccination is voluntary, Dr Kalisvar hopes that everyone can get vaccinated when their turn comes.

Severe reaction to the vaccine is a “rare occurrence”, the doctor said, with around 10 cases reported out of the 1.9 million vaccines administered worldwide.

To know more about the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, you can check out this article here.

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