[Updated 21 January 2022]

Booster Dose Required for Fully Vaccinated Status

International data has shown that protection against Omicron variant from a primary vaccination series is weaker compared to that against the Delta variant. Booster vaccination will increase the protection against infection and severe illness from Omicron. 

The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V) has recommended those aged 12 years and above who have completed a primary vaccination series to receive a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine¹ no later than 270 days (9 months) after the last dose in their primary vaccination series.

This will also apply to individuals who received recognised non-mRNA primary vaccination regimens offered under the National Vaccination Programme, such as three doses of the Sinovac-CoronaVac or Sinopharm vaccines, as well as regimens of other WHO EUL vaccines.

Those who are medically ineligible to receive the mRNA vaccine may consider taking the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine as a booster vaccine. The Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine should otherwise not be used as a booster vaccine for other groups.

From 14 February 2022 onwards, those aged 18 years and above who have completed the COVID-19 primary vaccination series and are eligible for booster vaccination will be considered as fully vaccinated for 270 days (9 months) after their last dose in the primary vaccination series. 

They should receive their booster vaccination from around 5 months thereafter as recommended and no later than 270 days thereafter. Upon receiving their booster, they will continue to be considered as fully vaccinated beyond the 270 days. 

For example, if an individual completed his primary vaccination series on 1 June 2021, he would be eligible for a booster vaccination 5 months later, i.e. from 1 September 2021 onwards, and would have to receive his booster by 26 February 2022 to continue to be considered as fully vaccinated². 

Starting from 14 March 2022, persons aged 12 to 17 years who have completed their primary vaccination series and are now eligible for booster vaccination will similarly be considered fully vaccinated for only 270 days after their last primary series dose. They will require a booster dose to maintain their vaccinated status thereafter. 

For vaccinated persons who have recovered from COVID-19, no additional booster dose is required at this point in time. However, recovered persons who were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated before their infection should receive one dose of the mRNA vaccine (two doses if they are taking Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine³) at least three months after infection to be considered as fully vaccinated. The 270-day vaccination validity period does not apply to recovered persons who complete this vaccination requirement.

For more information, refer to MOH’s press release.

¹ Persons who are medically ineligible to receive the mRNA vaccine may consider taking the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, which is the only non-mRNA vaccine offered under the National Vaccination Programme, as a booster vaccine. The Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine should otherwise not be used as a booster vaccine for other groups.

² Eligible individuals can walk in at any Moderna vaccination centre during operating hours, while appointments can be made for Pfizer-BioNTech/Cominarty vaccinations.

³ For recovered individuals who have received a mixed vaccine combination incorporating Sinovac-CoronaVac or Sinopharm vaccines, please refer to details of the requirements at https://go.gov.sg/sinovac-mixed-vac-combi.

Reduction of exemption period for recovered persons to enter settings where vaccination-differentiated safe management measures are implemented

Due to concerns over the transmissibility and reinfection risk of the Omicron variant, and quicker waning of protection acquired through past infections, the following adjustments will be made:

From 1 January 2022, all recovered persons from COVID-19 who are not fully vaccinated will only be given a 180-day exemption after infection to enter settings where vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) are implemented.

• Reduced from the current exemption period of 270 days, and calculated starting from the day of the first positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, obtained in Singapore
• This applies to individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 infection prior to 1 Jan 2022. Such individuals who exceed the 180-day period as of 1 January 2022 will be granted an additional one-month grace period till 31 January 2022 to complete their primary series vaccination regime.
• During the grace period, they can produce their discharge memo for entry into VDS settings
• Recovered persons who are not fully vaccinated should seek to complete their primary series vaccination regime promptly
  
  
  

[Updated 21 Dec] Enhancements to Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS)

Vaccination-differentiated safe management measures will be extended to more settings to better protect the vulnerable and at-risk groups.

A summary of the settings where VDS are applied is listed below.

⁴ Funerals, funeral wakes or funeral processions held during or before the burial or cremation of the deceased will continue to be allowed 30 participants at any time, and will not be subjected to VDS

Safe Management Measures will be eased as the overall COVID-19 infection numbers and hospital situation has stabilised, and a signification proportion of Singapore’s population would have or will be receiving their vaccination boosters.

Social gatherings, F&B settings

From 22 November 2021, the maximum social gathering group size and distinct visitors per household per day will increase from 2 to 5 persons. Visitors to households that have an unvaccinated person or vulnerable elderly are encouraged to self-test prior to the visit to prevent transmission.

Up to 5 fully vaccinated individuals from different households will be allowed to dine-in at F&B establishments. This includes unvaccinated children aged 12 years and below. Medically ineligible persons may also be included within the group from 1 December 2021.

Similarly, up to 5 vaccinated persons can dine-in at hawker centres and coffeeshops, where Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) checks have been implemented. The first batch of hawker centres and coffeeshops will start checks from 23 November 2021.

• Dining-in at hawker centres and coffeeshops without full VDS checks will remain at groups of 2 fully vaccinated persons. Unvaccinated individuals are only allowed to take-away food.
  
  
• Acceptable documents to check for proof of residence for dine-in: NRIC, SingPass, myICA and SGWorkPass.
  
  
  

Marriage Solemnisations and Wedding Receptions

From 22 November 2021, wedding couples will be allowed to unmask throughout the wedding celebrations. Singing by members of the wedding party will also be allowed at the reception, after they: (i) undergo an ART test minimally supervised by the venue operator; or (ii) have a valid Pre-Event Test (PET) obtained within 24 hours prior to the event.

For more info, please visit MOH press release.