The New Paper
Two vaccines used in Singapore offer significant protection: Experts
The two mRNA vaccines used here - Pfizer-BioNTech (above) and Moderna - can provide an effective shield against all current variants of the Covid-19 virus, according to experts. PHOTOS: REUTERS
The two mRNA vaccines used here - Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna (above) - can provide an effective shield against all current variants of the Covid-19 virus, according to experts.
But experts say it will not be absolute and have differing views on extent
SALMA KHALIK, SENIOR HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
May 10, 2021 06:00 am
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The two vaccines Singapore is using will protect significantly but not absolutely against all current variants of Covid-19, say experts. To what extent, however, they do not agree.
SINGAPORE - The two vaccines Singapore is using will protect significantly, but not absolutely, against all current variants of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, say experts. To what extent, however, is where they do not agree.
The Ministry of Health said last week that all three Covid-19 variants of concern (VOCs) - strains that could cause the most harm - as well as the two variants of interest (VOIs) behind the massive surge in cases in India, have been found in community transmissions here. VOIs have the potential to become VOCs.
The three VOCs - the B117 UK variant, P1 Brazilian variant and B1351 South African variant - are of concern because they spread more easily. Though they may not cause more severe illness, there are worries that vaccines might prove less effective against them.
SINGAPORE - The Covid-19 cluster at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) is of concern, but there is no need to be overly worried, said several experts.
As the pandemic rages on elsewhere, the development is a reminder that hospitals are vulnerable and infection control needs to be taken extremely seriously.
A nurse who had been fully vaccinated was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Tuesday (April 27) after coming down with a cough, body ache and sore throat.
Another eight patients and staff have been diagnosed. They are linked to the nurse (Case 62541), and were detected from proactive testing of patients and staff in the affected ward, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday afternoon (April 29).
SINGAPORE - The past week has delivered a Covid-19 shocker to Singapore, not just because of the increase in community cases - there were 10 - but also the infections in people who had been vaccinated or who had been previously infected.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said last Thursday (April 22) that 17 workers residing in Westlite Woodlands dormitory who had recovered from Covid-19 infections were found to be infected again. Others are now being tested.
The following day, the MOH announced that an Indonesian seaman who had received his first vaccine dose tested positive. Last Saturday, two more seamen who had received their first dose of vaccine were also found to be infected.
February 12, 2021
People in Chinatown on Jan 25. Concerned that too much mingling could lead to Covid-19 clusters forming and spreading rapidly, the Government has put new rules in place to minimise this as people get ready to mark Chinese New Year.
The Straits Times
SINGAPORE - The Chinese in Singapore are all set to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, while others are looking forward to a long weekend.
Concerned that too much mingling could lead to Covid-19 clusters forming and spreading rapidly, the Government has put new rules in place to minimise this. For example, households can have no more than eight visitors a day.