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Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on July 6 that students at schools and institutes of higher learning are exempted from physical activities for one week after receiving either doses of their Covid-19 vaccine .

Students should inform teachers

Students should inform the relevant teachers about the date of their vaccination to be exempted from physical activities for one week.

Students are advised to seek medical attention promptly if they develop chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heartbeats.

A MOE spokesman told The Straits Times on July 6 that all physical education and co-curricular activity teachers will be checking on the vaccination status of students before the start of physical activities.

MOE's announcement is in line with the recommendation by the Ministry of Health, Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination, and the Health Sciences Authority on July 5.

The recommendation stated that anyone getting an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, in particular adolescents and younger men, should avoid any exercise or strenuous physical activity for a week after either dose of the vaccine.

Some examples of strenuous physical activity to avoid are:

• Swimming
• Cycling
• Running
• Lifting heavy weights
• Competitive sports
• Ball or racket games

This comes after 12 individuals reported a myocarditis or pericarditis reaction after receiving their mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, including a 16-year-old boy who suffered a cardiac arrest after taking part in a strenuous weightlifting session six days after receiving his first dose of the mRNA vaccine.

Myocarditis and pericarditis are inflammatory conditions affecting the heart muscles and the outer lining of the heart respectively and its symptoms are chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heartbeats.

MOE said: "While most persons with vaccine-related myocarditis observed locally and internationally have mild symptoms and make an uneventful recovery, it is possible that the condition may be aggravated by factors or strenuous activities that may affect the heart."

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Top image from Ministry of Education/Facebook