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Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine



The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine is the sixth vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization for emergency use with its quality, safety and efficacy validated. To help more stay safe and protected against COVID-19, Farrer Park Hospital has received approval to administer the vaccine under the Special Access Route. If you would like to receive the vaccine, register your interest and we will get in touch.
 

Register for Vaccination



What is the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine?

The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine – scientifically known as SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (VeroCell) – is an inactivated vaccine against COVID-19. Unlike Pfizer-BioNTech/Cominarty or Moderna mRNA vaccines where weakened or inactivated germs are used, the Sinopharm vaccine is made of inactivated virus. Once introduced into the body, the immune system starts to produce antibodies that fight against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The Sinopharm vaccine is adjuvanted with aluminium hydroxide to boost the response of the immune system. 

 
  • The WHO recommends 2 doses (0.5 ml) to be administered
  • Interval of 3 to 4 weeks between first and second dose

What  are the potential side effects of the Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine?

According to results from clinical trials, common side effects after administration of the vaccine include:

  • Pain at injection site
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Fever


Who can receive the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine?

According to the WHO, the vaccine is suitable for the following individuals:

Aged 18 and above
 

No known history of anaphylaxis

Reference: 
World Health Organization. 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Explainer: COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated (Sinopharm). Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/sinopharm-vero-cell---inactivated-covid-19-vaccine


What is the efficacy of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine?

Reference: 
1 World Health Organization. 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Explainer: COVID-19
Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated (Sinopharm). 
Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/sinopharm-vero-cell---inactivated-covid-19-vaccine

2 World Health Organization. 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Explainer: Sinovac CoronaVac [Vero Cell) – Inacctivated, COVID-19 Vaccine. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/sinovac-coronavac-vero-cell---inactivated-covid-19-vaccine

3 World Health Organization. 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Explainer: Pfizer/BioNTech COMIRNATY®, COVID-19 vaccine. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/comirnaty-covid-19-mrna-vaccine

4 World Health Organization. 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Explainer: Moderna mRNA-1273, COVID-19 vaccine. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/moderna-covid-19-vaccine-(mrna-1273)


Countries and Territories that Approve the Emergency Use of Sinopharm Vaccine (as of Aug 23)

Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, China, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Vietnam, Zimbabwe

Source: COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker by McGill University



FAQs

Sinopharm is the sixth vaccine to be authorised by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its emergency use listing developed by the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine uses inactivated vaccine technology, which utilizes a weakened version of the COVID-19 virus particles that stimulates our bodies to produce an immune response to fight the virus.

Unlike Pfizer-BioNTech/Cominarty or Moderna mRNA vaccines where weakened or inactivated virus is used, the Sinopharm vaccine is made of inactivated virus. Once introduced into the body, the immune system starts to produce antibodies that fight against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The Sinopharm vaccine is adjuvanted with aluminium hydroxide to boost the response of the immune system.

The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine has a 79% efficacy rate, according to clinical trials verified and published by the WHO.

According to results from clinical trials, common side effects after administration of the vaccine include pain at injection site, headache, fatigue and fever.

Farrer Park Hospital has been approved to administer the Sinopharm vaccine and registration is now open. Register your interest here and you will be contacted once the vaccination schedule is available.

The WHO recommends 2 doses administered with an interval of 3 to 4 weeks.

As at time of writing (Aug 26), there are no published studies that suggests an increased efficacy or protection against COVID-19 when one receives multiple COVID-19 vaccines. Double dipping, a term that refers to the mix and match of vaccines, is said to be mostly a thought experiment as of now. If you have already been vaccinated with another COVID-19 vaccine, we strongly recommend that you visit your primary physician or doctor for medical advice before receiving another COVID-19 vaccine.

There are no restrictions for the vaccine so long as individuals: 

  • Are adults aged 18 and above
  • Have no known history of anaphylaxis
  • Have no allergic reactions to vaccines previously
  • Are screened, consulted and certified with their doctors for eligibility


Reference:
World Health Organization. 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Explainer: COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated (Sinopharm). Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/sinopharm-vero-cell---inactivated-covid-19-vaccine