Transplant patients & people with HIV in S’pore can now receive Pfizer, Moderna vaccines

Some will still need to present a specialist memo before they receive the vaccine.

Joshua Lee | July 28, 2021, 09:14 PM

The Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination now recommends that severely immunocompromised persons can be vaccinated.

According to a press release on July 28, the Committee said that accrued data has shown that the vaccination is safe for this group of people.

Additionally, data has shown that vaccination can provide protection against infection and severe disease among immunocompromised persons who are at increased risk of complications from Covid-19.

Cancer, HIV patients can be vaccinated

The Committee advised that severely immunocompromised persons belonging to the following groups should first obtain a memo on their suitability from their treating specialist:

  1. Patients with active cancer on treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy) in the last three months or planned in the next two months
  2. Patients with recent transplants within the past three months (solid organ or stem cell)
  3. Patients on aggressive immunotherapy for non-cancer conditions

This memo should be presented to the vaccination provider before they receive the vaccine.

People who are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can also now be vaccinated regardless of their CD4 count, without a need for a memo, said the Committee.

The above groups can be vaccinated in the hospital setting or in a community vaccination site.

Should still take precautions

The Committee further cautioned that the effectiveness of vaccines in persons who are immunocompromised may be reduced.

Hence, they should take precautions against infection by avoiding crowded places and practising good hand hygiene.

The Committee also urged household members and persons around immunocompromised persons to be vaccinated to reduce the risk of being infected and transmitting Covid-19 to the latter.

Recovered patients can take vaccine faster

Separately, the Committee has reduced the length of time that recovered persons need to wait before receiving the vaccine.

They can now receive a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine under the national vaccination programme at least three months after the date of infection, instead of six months.

"Covid-19 vaccination is important to protect oneself and those around us from Covid-19 infection and severe disease," said the Committee.

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Top photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash