COVID-19 Vaccination

As part of Singapore’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, KKH offers COVID-19 vaccination to:

pregnant women, and
patients aged 5 and above with chronic medical conditions, if they are medically eligible and have not received vaccination.

The Ministry of Health recommends earlier COVID-19 vaccination for these groups, as they are more vulnerable to severe complications if they were to fall ill with COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccination at KKH is only for the hospital’s patients on follow-up at our specialist outpatient clinics.

For pregnant women and women planning to conceive

What are the benefits of the vaccination?

	COVID-19 may be more dangerous in pregnancy		Vaccinated women are less likely to need emergency or early delivery for complications from COVID-19
	Vaccination is effective in reducing the risk of getting COVID-19		Vaccinated women can transfer protective antibodies to their babies via the placenta or breast milk
	A fully vaccinated pregnant woman who contracts COVID-19 is more likely to have no or mild symptoms only

Will having a COVID-19 vaccination affect my baby?
There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes miscarriages or birth defects. A 2021 study¹ has shown no increase in birth defects or disorders among babies born to mothers vaccinated against COVID-19, compared to babies born before the pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccines do not contain live coronavirus and cannot cause COVID-19 infection. The vaccines do not contain any ingredients that are known to be harmful to pregnant women or their babies; neither do they alter the recipient or their baby’s DNA. The vaccines have been shown to generate protective antibodies in pregnant women with passive transfer to the baby antenatally or before birth.
What data is available about COVID-19 vaccine safety in pregnant women?
Current evidence shows that COVID‐19 vaccination is safe and protects the mother and baby. Data from the United States, where more than 170,000 pregnant women have had a COVID-19 vaccine (using Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines), has not raised any safety concerns². In the United Kingdom, more than 100,000 pregnant women have also received the COVID-19 vaccine with no adverse effects recorded.

Conversely, unvaccinated pregnant women who are infected with COVID-19 are at a higher risk of serious complications requiring hospitalisation and emergency/early delivery. The risk of preterm birth is doubled if the woman is symptomatic and the baby may require neonatal intensive care.
Does it matter what stage of pregnancy I am in?
The vaccine is considered to be safe and effective at any stage of pregnancy. Those who may be feeling sick in their first trimester due to nausea or vomiting, may consider checking with their doctor before taking the vaccination.
What should a pregnant woman take note of before she goes for vaccination?
Pregnant women are encouraged to address their concerns with their obstetrician before deciding on the vaccination. Side effects like fever, sore arm, muscle pain and headaches, can be managed with standard treatment such as paracetamol, which is safe for use in pregnancy. Vaccination sites are equipped to manage any rare or unlikely immediate emergencies, such as severe allergic reactions.
Will taking the COVID-19 vaccine impact the fertility of those planning to conceive?
MOH guidelines state that women planning their pregnancies can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. There is no evidence that these vaccines will harm women’s fertility, and they may opt to complete vaccination prior to planning a pregnancy.
1. Shimabukuro TT, Kim SY, Myers TR, Moro PL, Oduyebo T, Panagiotakopoulos L, Marquez PL, Olson CK, Liu R, Chang KT, Ellington SR, Burkel VK, Smoots AN, Green CJ, Licata C, Zhang BC, Alimchandani M, Mba-Jonas A, Martin SW, Gee JM, Meaney-Delman DM; CDC v-safe COVID-19 Pregnancy Registry Team. Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 17;384(24):2273-2282. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2104983. Epub 2021 Apr 21. PMID: 33882218; PMCID: PMC8117969.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‘V-safe Pregnancy Registry’.

For breastfeeding mothers

Please click here for information on COVID-19 Vaccination and Breastfeeding

View the e-brochure on "What pregnant and breastfeeding women should know about the COVID-19 vaccines!"

For children aged 5 and above

Is the COVID-19 vaccination safe for children?
Vaccine studies conducted overseas have found vaccination to be safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in children. The overseas trial showed 90 percent vaccine efficacy in protecting against COVID-19 infection after seven days from the second dose.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines can impact a child’s long-term development, cause DNA modification or create fertility problems later on in life. Experts believe that the vaccines are unlikely to cause any long-term health impacts.
How effective is the vaccine for this age group?
The COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing symptomatic disease and will also help prevent your child from getting seriously ill if he/she contracts COVID-19.

While COVID-19 tends to be milder in children compared with adults, it can still:

make children very sick and cause children to be hospitalised
cause short- and long-term health complications, and in some situations, lead to death due to myocarditis (heart inflammation), respiratory failure or MIS-C (a systemic multi-organ inflammation).

What are the possible side effects for children?
Children may have some side effects after their COVID-19 vaccination which are similar to adults. These side effects, which may include injection site pain, fatigue, headache, chills and fever, which will generally resolve on their own within a few days. These are normal signs that the body is building protection (immunity).

Children are advised to avoid strenuous activities for two weeks post-vaccination, in line with the Ministry of Health’s guidance.
Can children with underlying medical conditions take the vaccine?
Children with chronic medical conditions are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect against severe COVID-19 infection. If you are unsure of your child’s eligibility for vaccination, you are encouraged to speak with your child’s doctor/paediatrician.
What other considerations are there?
Getting vaccinated helps to protect the child from getting infected and passing the disease to others. Being vaccinated gives parents and children peace of mind to return to activities like in-person schooling and participating in sports.

Children who are unvaccinated, in particular children with underlying medical conditions, can become seriously ill from COVID-19 and suffer long-term health problems. Children who develop MIS-C – a multi-organ systemic inflammatory disorder related to COVID-19 infection – are often very sick, requiring intensive care support and may have long-term cardiac complications.

Hence, the known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks of vaccination.

If the patient fits the enrolment criteria for vaccination in KKH, our doctors will discuss with the patients at their next outpatient clinic consultation.

Patients do not need to contact KKH to make a separate appointment.

KKH patients who are enrolled to receive vaccination in KKH will receive both doses of the COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNtech/Comirnaty) vaccine in KKH.

YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION ROADMAP

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a key and effective measure in the national strategy to contain the current pandemic.

Here's a quick overview of a patient's vaccination journey if offered COVID-19 vaccination:

	1. Enrolment for COVID-19 vaccination at SingHealth hospitals and national specialist centres If you have not been vaccinated and are medically eligible, your doctor may offer you the option of receiving your COVID-19 vaccination at the healthcare institution at which you are on medical follow-up. This vaccination service is only offered to patients with chronic medical conditions on follow-up at SingHealth institutions.
	2. Booking of Vaccination Appointment Your doctor will screen and review your medical history to ensure that you are suitable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are medically eligible, staff at the clinic will help you book appointments for Doses 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination. Both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered at KKH. The appointment for Dose 1 may not be on the same day that your doctor refers you for the vaccination.
	3. SMS Reminders You will receive SMS confirmations one week before and on the day of your vaccination appointments. Manage your medical appointments with the Health Buddy app!
	*4. On both vaccination appointment days (3-4 weeks apart)** Bring your IC or birth certificate for both appointments, and the vaccination card (which will be issued to you after receiving your first dose) for your second appointment. Please be on time. Please wear attire that has short sleeves, or sleeves loose enough to be rolled up. There is no need to fast. If you are unwell, stay home and postpone your appointments. *If you are unable to keep to your appointments, please reschedule as soon as possible.
	5. Both doses complete! Please continue to observe current safe management measures to keep yourself and your loved ones protected.

Please note:
If you need to reschedule your appointment:

Please refer to the instructions within the SMS notification
You may do so via the Health Buddy app, or
Call Central Appointments at 6294 4050, as soon as possible

After vaccination:
Like other vaccines, this vaccine may cause mild or moderate side effects in some individuals (please see the list of side effects below). These will usually get better within a few days. You may wish to see a doctor if the side effects persist or get worse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the vaccine free?
The vaccine is free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore. This includes Singapore Permanent Residents, and Employment Pass holders.
Which vaccine am I getting?
You will be getting the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. Comirnaty is the same as Pfizer-BioNTech, manufactured under the same processes and procedures and meet the same finished product specifications. The only difference is the label.
How many doses are there?
The vaccine consists of two doses, with the second dose due 3-4 weeks after the first dose. You must receive both doses to have the full vaccine protection. Based on current national guidelines, booster shots are recommended for persons aged 18 and above, to maintain optimal protection.
How will the vaccine be administered?
The vaccine will be injected in your upper arm. To make this easier, you are advised to wear attire that has short sleeves, or sleeves loose enough to be rolled up.
Can I get my vaccination on the same day as my clinic appointment?
You may not be able to obtain an appointment on the same day as your appointment. Our clinic staff will assist to check if there are available slots on the same day. If this is not available, we will assist to book the next available vaccination appointment for you.
Can dose 1 and dose 2 be done at different places e.g. #1 at hospital and #2 at the CC?
As different vaccination centres may use different brands of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should return to the same vaccination centre for the second dose where you received the first dose of the vaccine. Hence, if you opt for COVID-19 vaccination at the hospital, please return to the same hospital for your second dose. At the point of enrolment, we will help you make the appointments for both Dose 1 and Dose 2.

You are encouraged to receive your booster dose (either brand of mRNA vaccines offered under the National Vaccination Programme) at community vaccination centres.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
The vaccine has been assessed to be safe. However, you may experience common side effects, similar to other vaccines. Most side effects are mild or moderate, and usually get better within a few days. The table below lists some common side effects that have been reported with this vaccine, and how to manage them.

Side Effects	How to manage
• Pain, redness, swelling at the injection site • Fever, chills • Headache, muscle pain, joint pain	Paracetamol 1 to 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed
• Tiredness	Rest
• Lymph node swelling at neck or arms	Usually gets better by itself in a week or so

See a doctor if:

The side effects persist or get worse
The fever persists for more than 48 hours (2 days)

In very rare cases, this vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Signs of a severe allergic reaction include: difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, throat, eyes or lips, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and weakness, a bad rash all over your body. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately. Call 995 or go to the nearest A&E immediately.

How will the Government assist persons who suffer from serious side effects following vaccination?
The vaccine injury financial assistance programme (VIFAP) by MOH will provide financial assistance to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass holders vaccinated under the national vaccination programme, in the rare event that a person suffers from serious side effects that are assessed to be related to their COVID-19 vaccination.

To apply for VIFAP, individuals will need to submit an application accompanied by medical information on the serious side effect(s) from their treating doctor. All applications will be reviewed by an independent clinical panel for the relatedness and severity of the side effect(s) to the COVID-19 vaccine received.

More information on how to apply can be found at www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/vaccination/vifap.
More information on the COVID-19 vaccine is also available at www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/vaccination.
Is the vaccination card issued to me valid for travel purposes?
The physical vaccination card that is given to all vaccinated individuals is not meant to be used for travel purposes. Relevant government agencies are engaging international counterparts and monitoring global developments on the issuance and recognition of digital vaccination certificates for travel purposes, as part of ongoing efforts to reopen the economy and enable cross border travel. More details will be shared when available.
I recently received a non-COVID-19 vaccine (e.g. flu, DTAP, hepatitis), how soon can I receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
Patients who had received a non-COVID-19 vaccine in the last 14 days can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A minimal interval of 14 days between COVID-19 vaccine and non-COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged, but not compulsory.
How do I get to the vaccination centre at KKH?
You will receive both COVID-19 vaccine doses at the KKH vaccination centre on your scheduled appointment dates. The KKH vaccination centre is located at the Auditorium at Women’s Tower, Level 1 (accessed via the KKH Retail Mall):

KKH vaccination centre opening hours:

11.00am to 1.00pm, 2.00pm to 5.00pm (last vaccination slot at 4.30pm)
Wednesday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Information accurate as at 23 December 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination for KKH Patients

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