Iconic Updates / 17 Jun, 2021

Sinovac COVID-19 Vaccine

Icon Writers

Update 26 July 2021:

Please be informed that Icon will be closing online registrations for Sinovac Vaccination with immediate effect.

Eligible patients who have pre-registered will be contacted by our clinics for their appointments. We regret any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding. 

Sinovac COVID-19 Vaccination at Icon

As per the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) press release on 2 July 2021, Icon Cancer Centre Mt Alvernia and Icon Health Screening have been included into the list of seven new clinics identified by MOH to provide the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccination (In addition to the 24 clinics identified earlier, which included Icon Cancer Centre Farrer Park).

About the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine

On 1 June the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the Sinovac-Coronavac (Sinovac) COVID-19 vaccine under the Emergency Use List (EUL) meaning it can now be imported and supplied by private healthcare providers as unregistered vaccines1.

The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) has selected 24 private clinics across the island to administer Sinovac vaccines to eligible individuals. The Sinovac vaccine has been secured through the Special Access Route (SAR) with selected healthcare providers drawing upon MOH’s existing Sinovac stock.

How does the Sinovac vaccine work?

The Sinovac vaccine contains inactivated viruses which has been traditionally used in many vaccinations for centuries, including common vaccinations such as HPV, flu and hepatitis A vaccines. These inactive viruses teach the body’s immune system to make antibodies against COVID-19

It is administered in two doses with a period of two to four weeks between the first and second dose.

Is the Sinovac vaccine safe?

As with all vaccines, Sinovac has been thoroughly assessed based on quality, safely and efficacy and has been recommended for use in people aged 18 and above2. The current safety data is limited for persons above 60 years of age however the general safety profile of the vaccine in older adults does suggest it would not be different to that in younger adults. WHO has recommended people older than 60 years of age receiving the Sinovac vaccine are safely monitored for any side effects.

As with all vaccinations under the EUL, Sinovac will continue to submit ongoing data for the continued safety and quality of the vaccine.

How effective is the Sinovac vaccine?

In a large clinical trial in Brazil which included the administration of the Sinovac vaccine across an interval of 14 days, the vaccine showed an efficacy of 51% against the COVID-19 disease and 100% against severe COVID-19 and hospitalisation within the study group2.

Who is eligible for Sinovac in Singapore?

The Sinovac vaccine under SAR is eligible for the following 2 patient groups:

Assigned Patients:

  • Eligible patients aged 18 & above, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term visit pass holders, who have not received any dose of any COVID-19 vaccine in Singapore or otherwise.
  • Individuals who had been rejected from taking the approved messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) under the national vaccination program prior to 5th Jun’21 (Documentary evidence will be required)
  • Those who have been assigned by the Ministry of Health to receive the Sinovac vaccine under this SAR program (Documentary evidence will be required)

Non-Assigned Patients:

  • Eligible patients must be aged 18 & above, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term visit pass holders, who have not received any dose of any COVID-19 vaccine in Singapore or otherwise.
  • Those who are eligible for the National Vaccination Program, but who wish to receive the Sinovac vaccine instead of vaccines currently offered on the national program.

Important

Note that patients who receive the Sinovac Vaccine will not be covered under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (Vifap) for COVID-19 Vaccination.

Please refer to this FAQ link for more information:

https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/vaccination/faqs/faqs—special-access-route-(sar)-vaccines

Fees for Sinovac vaccine at Icon Cancer Centre and Icon Health Screening

  • Assigned Patients: Cost of the vaccination will be waived (no charge to patient). The fees for the vaccination will be borne by the Government. Eligible patients will however need to pay for any costs associated with treatment for any adverse events that arise from the vaccination.
  • Non-Assigned Patients: A vaccination fee of $25 (Including GST) will apply. Eligible patients will however need to pay for any costs associated with treatment for any adverse events that arise from the vaccination.

Register for the Sinovac vaccine (Registration strictly by online form submission only)

Please be informed that Icon will be closing online registrations for Sinovac Vaccination with immediate effect.

Eligible patients who have pre-registered will be contacted by our clinics for their appointments. We regret any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.

Enquire about the Sinovac vaccine

If you have any questions please email Icon at [email protected] / (65) 8697 6128.

References

For a full list of references, click here.
  1. Ministry of Health Singapore. (2021). Giving maximum protection to individuals through vaccination. Retrieved on 17 June 2021 at https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/giving-maximum-protection-to-individuals-through-vaccination/
  2. World Health Organization. (2021). The Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know. Retrieved on 17 June 2021 at https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know
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