Nuvaxovid COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives in Singapore, to Be Rolled Out End of May

The first shipment of the Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine by Novavax touched down in Singapore yesterday, May 4, and will be offered at the city-state's first Joint Testing and Vaccination Centre (JTVC) at the former Bishan Park Secondary School and 20 other Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) by the end of May.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) on the same day, the JVTCs – which begin operating by the end of the month – will offer both COVID-19 testing and vaccination services to the public in the same location.

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce accepted the recommendation of the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V) back in Feb. 14 to include Nuvaxovid in the National Vaccination Programme for those aged 18 and above as COVID-19 primary series and booster vaccination.

"Having considered the data on its safety, efficacy and tolerability, the EC19V recommends the Nuvaxovid vaccine as an acceptable alternative to the mRNA vaccines in individuals aged 18 years and above, although the mRNA vaccines still remain the preferred vaccines due to their higher efficacy and the stronger immune response generated," the MOH said.