Covid-19 vaccine could arrive in S'pore only in late-2021

Not so soon.

Belmont Lay | July 25, 2020, 01:11 AM

A Covid-19 vaccine may be available by the end of 2021, the Health Ministry director of medical services Kenneth Mak said on July 24.

This is despite a number of companies having announced starting on phase three trials, which are a "relatively later stage" of the process of vaccine development.

But failures in delivering a vaccine that is safe and effective could still happen, Associate Professor Mak said.

"Given the global demand for these vaccines, it may not even be in the beginning of next year but perhaps towards the end of next year, when we might see vaccines produced in sufficient doses, and available then for procurement and to be delivered into Singapore," he said.

And the process of which vaccine would be used in Singapore is not clear cut as multiple vaccine candidates are still undergoing trials.

But to ensure Singapore will have access to sufficient vaccines, Mak told a virtual press conference with reporters that discussions have begun with vaccine developers.

He said Singapore is proactively working with vaccine developers, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions on research efforts into a Covid-19 vaccine.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said likewise.

He said Singapore is participating in the Covax effort, an international collaboration to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines around the world.

But details are scant.

Gan said he could not share more about ongoing discussions with vaccine developers, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions as "some of these transactions are strategic in nature" and involves "business confidentiality".