Expert committee continues to back use of mRNA vaccines

The expert committee on Covid-19 vaccination continues to endorse the effectiveness of the mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines used in Singapore, it said yesterday.

The committee said it is aware of messages that are being disseminated on social media that claim mRNA-based vaccines are ineffective against new variants of concern, and that vaccines that use an inactivated virus would provide superior protection.

The China-produced Sinovac shot is one example of a vaccine that uses inactivated viruses.

"Our assessment, based on a continual review of data and evidence, remains that the mRNA vaccines are safe and highly effective, and continue to show protection against the variants of concern," the committee said in a statement.

"The inactivated virus Covid-19 vaccines have variable protection and there is currently no evidence to suggest that inactivated virus vaccines demonstrate higher vaccine efficacy against variants of concern than the mRNA vaccines."

Covid-19 variants of concern include those like the more infectious B16172 or Delta variant that has played a role in the current outbreak in Singapore.

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The expert committee said the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines, currently the only two available under Singapore's national vaccination programme, have consistently shown to be highly efficacious, with an efficacy rate of around 90 per cent.

They are especially effective in protecting against severe Covid-19 disease and hospitalisation, the committee added.

"This was first demonstrated in the pivotal phase three clinical trials, and further supported with the data from actual roll-outs in the real world," the committee said.

It further said that despite concerns over the Delta variant, emerging data shows that the mRNA vaccines continue to be effective.

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It cited a study in Britain which demonstrated that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine conferred about 88 per cent protection against symptomatic Covid-19, even with the Delta variant.

The committee noted that no vaccine provides 100 per cent protection, and with the emergence and spread of new variants from mutations, infections can occur despite vaccination. But it stressed that the detection of asymptomatic to mild infections among vaccinated patients with the Delta variant does not indicate a lack of protection.

This is in keeping with the global evidence that the mRNA vaccines have a high level of protection against symptomatic and severe disease, it added.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have also been approved by multiple reputable international regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration in the US and the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

The committee said the Sinovac shot has yet to meet the requirements for authorisation by Singapore's Health Sciences Authority.

"The Sinovac vaccine has also shown variable protection across multiple studies carried out internationally," the committee said.

"The most complete analysis of the vaccine showed a vaccine efficacy of 51 per cent."

It said the protection Sinovac provides against newer variants and under real-world conditions remains unknown. The Sinovac vaccine will soon be available in Singapore at private healthcare providers under the Special Access Route.

It has been approved by the World Health Organisation for emergency use in those aged 18 and above.

This means it is not an option for children and adolescents under 18 globally, nor in Singapore, the committee said in its statement.

"It is critical that medical professionals do not spread unsubstantiated and unscientific information.

"The public has a right to expect medical professionals to give advice based on facts and not on unproven assertions. The public should rely on reputable sources of scientific and medical information, and verify opinions shared by others against these."