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The Ministry of Health (MOH) has answered two common queries from members of the public regarding vaccine boosters.

This was done so via a media release on Jan. 29, 2022.

1. Should individuals who have been infected with Covid-19 after their primary series still receive their booster dose?

Short answer: Yes.

Explanation: A booster dose will confer longer protection into the future. It is also safe for recovered patients to receive a booster.

The Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination has recommended that it is safe for those who have recovered from Covid-19 to receive the booster dose.

MOH said that vaccination centres have been instructed to administer the booster dose to those in this category, and they will not be turned away.

However, if you prefer not to get jabbed again, the infection episode can also be considered a booster dose.

This is only applicable if you saw a doctor while infected, or were detected to be Covid-positive when travelling into Singapore because there will be a record of your infection in MOH's medical records (which you can see in your HealthHub records).

The update of your status is automatic, and no action is required on your part.

This does not apply to:

• Someone who performed an antigen rapid test (ART) self-test and was discovered to be Covid-19 positive.
• Someone who has undergone Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) or Pre-Event Testing (PET) and was discovered to be Covid-19 positive.

These individuals typically undergo self-isolation under Protocol 2, recover and resume normal activities.

There is therefore no record of their infection in MOH's medical records.

In this case, one will need to receive their booster dose to extend the validity period of their full vaccination status beyond the initial 270 days.

2. What are the booster needs after various permutations of mRNA vaccine doses, Sinovac/Sinopharm vaccine doses, and infections?

Short answer: The answers are complicated and MOH is working on a calculator for it's website. The calculator will help individuals determine if they need to take boosters to extend their vaccination validity period.

Explanation: A simple rule of thumb, according to MOH, is: two doses of an mRNA vaccine, or three doses of Sinovac/Sinopharm, confer full vaccination status for 270 days.

A booster or an infection recorded in their medical records after that will extend the validity.

Top photo via Ong Ye Kung's Facebook page and MOE