SINGAPORE will start Covid-19 vaccine boosters for seniors next week, while those with compromised immune systems should see their doctors about a third jab.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Friday gave more details on its vaccine booster plans, which will benefit those aged 60 years and above; aged-care facility residents; and the moderately to severely immunocompromised, such as cancer patients.

"The MOH recommends that you take the shots, so please come forward," Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told an afternoon press briefing.

Elderly who finished their two-dose vaccine regimen more than six months ago will be invited to take their third shots of mRNA vaccines from Sept 14.

Seniors will receive a text message with a personalised link to book a new appointment on www.vaccine.gov.sg, while eligible residents of aged-care facilities will get their booster dose "in the coming weeks", the MOH said in its statement.

The booster programme will kick off with about 200,000 seniors who received their second doses in March or earlier, according to Mr Ong.

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Fully-vaccinated immunocompromised individuals have been encouraged to take a third dose of the same mRNA vaccine as before, two months after their second dose, although they should consult their treating specialist beforehand.(see Amendment note)

These eligible individuals can get their booster shots at a hospital or specialist clinic, and can also walk into any national vaccination centre with a referral form from their doctors.

National director of medical services Kenneth Mak added at the briefing that policymakers are concerned about unvaccinated individuals in groups with "a higher risk of poor outcomes if they get infected", such as elderly and pregnant people.

In early September, Singapore's expert committee on Covid-19 vaccination recommended booster shots for the elderly and immunocompromised.

Besides Singapore, countries such as Germany and the United States have also announced plans to start offering Covid-19 booster shots to at-risk groups in September. Israel is expanding its booster rollout to the general public.

That's even as World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus this week decried the decision from some wealthy countries to deploy booster shots for their populations, when vaccination rates remain very low in poorer societies.

Dr Tedros has called for a moratorium on extra doses until 2022, noting that "we do not want to see widespread use of boosters for healthy people who are fully vaccinated".

Separately, fresh supplies of the non-mRNA Sinovac vaccine should arrive around Sept 20. Mr Ong said private clinics had suspended vaccination on a depletion of stock.

The Sinovac vaccine is administered through the national vaccination programme to people who are allergic to mRNA vaccines, and is also available on the private market.

READ MORE:

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• Singapore remains in preparatory stage, no further loosening of Covid-19 curbs for now

Amendment note: An earlier version of this article said that immunocompromised individuals have been encouraged to take a third dose of any mRNA vaccine with special-access approval. The Ministry of Health has since issued an update to specify that the vaccine used for the third dose should be the same as the first two doses.