Covid-19 vaccine: Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech in Asia

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by United States pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German firm BioNTech. The first shipment due to arrive in Singapore by the end of December announced Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Dec 14).

That makes Singapore one of the first countries to obtain this vaccine, he said.

"The HSA studied the scientific evidence and clinical trial data for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine," Mr. Lee said.
Other vaccines are also expected to arrive in Singapore in the coming months, and the country "will have enough vaccines for everyone" by the third quarter of next year if all goes according to plan, he added.

The Ministry of Health has established a committee of doctors and experts to recommend a vaccination strategy.
According to the prime minister, the committee has proposed that the entire adult population be vaccinated, but voluntary.

Priority will be given to those at higher risk, such as frontline and healthcare workers, and the elderly and vulnerable.