Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung urged people to go and get their booster shots, as he answered some of the questions that he has received about the boosters in a statement he made on Facebook.
Here is what he said
Many have asked me questions about #boosters. So here are top 4 questions about the importance of boosters and who should take them.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭?
A booster, or third mRNA shot, is very important.
Because the vaccines were developed against the original ‘wild-type’ strain of COVID-19. Then, two shots were enough.
But as the virus mutates into Delta and now Omicron, three shots are needed to properly protect you against severe illness if infected.
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐚𝐛, 𝐢𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝?
Yes. Having an infection is not a substitute for taking the jab.
All of us react differently to the infection. So it is better for everyone to still take their booster, or a third shot. But if you are recently infected, wait for 90 days.
If you are very eager to take your booster, wait at least 28 days. But the effect after 90 days would be better.
𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝟓𝟎𝐬, 𝟔𝟎𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟕𝟎𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭. 𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩, 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭?
Based on data for those in their 50s, 60s and 70s, protection against severe illness and hospitalisation remains very strong, 9 months after the first booster shot.
This is why we did not say we strongly recommend that you take the shot, but said we are offering these shots.
However, some could be living with the elderly, or have to travel, or have underlying illnesses that make them worried about their health, and they will want to take the second booster.
So judge your circumstances, and if you need to, just walk in and you will be able to take it.
𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐠𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐚𝐛?
All the vaccines are very good and effective, and there is no need to change the vaccine.
Many residents, especially seniors, may be worried about mRNA vaccines as they may have underlying illness, or experienced a bit of reaction after the second or third shot.
They can take the Novavax’s Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine. It has high efficacy and is based on more traditional technology.