Receive First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine with Minimal Waiting Time and Longest Possible Gap between First and Second Dose

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has an alternative plan to ensure all COVID-19 vaccine registrants are able to receive at least one dose of the vaccine with minimal waiting time; and (b) what is the longest possible gap between the first and second dose for the mRNA vaccine without sacrificing efficacy of the vaccine or safety of the patient.

Our rate of vaccination has been contingent upon our vaccine supply. In recent weeks, we have confirmed our supply delivery and accelerated our vaccination programme. All who have registered for vaccination can expect to receive their first dose of the vaccine within the month of July.

The Expert Committee on COVID-19 has recommended that the maximum interval between mRNA-COVID-19 vaccines could be extended to between six and eight weeks.