SINGAPORE — From Jan 1, 2024, the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine will no longer be available under Singapore's national vaccination programme, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday (Nov 28).

The current Novavax vaccine, also known as Nuvaxovid, is based on the original Covid-19 strain, and is no longer supplied by the manufacturer, said MOH. 

Singapore's existing stock of the vaccine will expire on Dec 31.

Those who still want the Novavax jab must get their first dose by Dec 1, in order to complete their primary vaccination series before Dec 31.

Those who have already received one dose of the vaccine will be contacted by MOH or the clinic where they received it to have the second one by Dec 31 so as to complete their primary vaccination series.

"Eligible individuals who have completed their primary vaccination series and wish to receive the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine to achieve minimum protection or as an additional dose, should also do so by Dec 31, with a minimum interval of five months after their last dose," said the Health Ministry.

Eligible individuals can receive the Novavax vaccine by calling any participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPC) to make an appointment.

After Dec 31, MOH said those individuals can receive the mRNA vaccines — Moderna/Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty — at its Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres, polyclinics and PHPCs.

MOH added that those who are medically ineligible to receive the mRNA vaccines can choose to receive the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, which is available on the national vaccination programme until Sept 30, 2024.

They can also choose to take Sinopharm, which continues to be available at private clinics which have applied to use the vaccine under the Special Access Route.

"We encourage all individuals to receive their Covid-19 vaccine when eligible, to keep up to date with their vaccination and protection against Covid-19," said MOH.

It added that Novavax is in the process of filing for regulatory approval for its updated Covid-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine formulation.

"Further updates will be provided when Novavax has successfully filed for regulatory approval."

The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine was first granted interim authorisation in Singapore on Feb 14, 2022.

In May, MOH also announced that Novavax would be offered to adolescents aged 12 to 17, following the Health Sciences Authority's authorisation of the vaccine for use in this age group.

MOH also noted in an updated advisory in October that people aged six months and above are encouraged to receive an additional Covid-19 vaccination dose in 2023 or 2024. CNA