As of Feb 16, only 7.1 million of 10 million people fully vaccinated with Sinovac have received boosters, leaving about 3 million adults who will lose their fully vax status on March 1 without a 3rd jab.
Individuals who were previously infected by Covid-19 and completed primary vaccination may not require an additional booster shot, as scientific data suggests vaccine reactogenicity (reactions that occur soon after vaccination) with subsequent doses.
Of 79,393 Covid vaccine doses administered to under-12 kids, only 8 reports of non-serious adverse effects have been received, equal to 0.1 reports per 1,000 doses.
MOH's ICR cites 4 studies in HK, Brazil, Chile, and Malaysia that find a Pfizer booster for Sinovac recipients is more effective against Covid-19, especially Omicron, than a 3rd Sinovac dose.
A study by Yale University and the Dominican Republic shows that even with a Pfizer booster after two Sinovac doses, protection against Omicron is only slightly higher than with two mRNA doses alone, hence two boosters after two Sinovac jabs may be needed.
Health Ministry officials say the Covid-19 vaccine will protect children from long Covid and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) caused by Covid-19 infection.