The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is evaluating whether the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is safe and effective for those aged 12 to 15, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong told Parliament yesterday.

He was responding to a question from Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC), who asked if those younger than 16 could be included in Singapore's Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Mr Ng's question follows mounting concern about possible Covid-19 clusters in schools.

On April 30, a 15-year-old student from Edgefield Secondary School tested positive, leading to about 1,500 students, staff and external vendors of the school being swabbed. All tested negative.

Last Friday, a Victoria Junior College student tested positive. More than 2,200 students, staff and vendors, and visitors to the school, have been swabbed. The results of the tests have yet to be released.

On Monday, the United States Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorisation for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, allowing it to be used on those aged 12 to 15, widening its original range, which had been for those aged 16 and older.

Mr Gan said yesterday that in Singapore, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently approved for those aged 16 and older, while the Moderna vaccine is for those aged 18 and older.

These are the only two Covid-19 vaccines available for use in Singapore at present.

Mr Gan said that initial data provided by both companies at the time they were granted interim authorisation for use of their vaccines in the Republic - under the Pandemic Special Access Route - did not include data on their use in younger populations.

However, supplementary data has since been submitted for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and HSA is evaluating it.

HSA will do the same for the Moderna vaccine when the data is submitted, said Mr Gan, adding that more details will be shared when they are ready.

He also said that clinical trials are still under way for those younger than 12, and it may take more time to generate the necessary data.

Timothy Goh