Residents can choose which Covid-19 jab to take

People who want to choose which Covid-19 vaccine to take can now refer to the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website, where the full list of vaccination centres and vaccines offered has been made available. The Moderna shot is being given at 11 of the 38 centres, while the rest are using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

People are able to pick the vaccination centre or polyclinic they wish to go to, although a notice on the website adds that certain centres may have limited slots "due to the strong demand for Covid-19 vaccinations in Singapore and limited supplies".

The Pfizer shot was the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for use in Singapore, with the earliest shipments arriving here last December.

Last month, MOH announced that the Moderna vaccine would be administered at four community clubs: Hong Kah North, Marsiling, Punggol 21 and Radin Mas.

Another seven centres have since been added to the list: Kolam Ayer, Buona Vista, Potong Pasir, Tampines East, Woodlands, Kebun Baru and Yew Tee.

All other vaccination centres, polyclinics and selected Public Health Preparedness Clinics will continue to offer the Pfizer vaccine.

"Each vaccination centre will stock and administer only one type of vaccine," MOH said in a statement last month. "Individuals must select the same vaccination centre for both their first and second appointments when booking via the national appointment system."

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use a newer messenger RNA technology, which involves injecting snippets of the virus' genetic material - and not the whole virus - into the body. This "teaches" cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response, producing antibodies to fight the virus.

Reported side effects from both vaccines are similar and include pain, swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, fever, chills, vomiting and joint pain after vaccination.

Their efficacy rates are also similar, with Pfizer's at 95 per cent and Moderna's at 94 per cent.

However, the Pfizer vaccine requires two 30-microgram doses taken three weeks apart. In contrast, Moderna's vaccine involves two 100-microgram doses taken four weeks apart.

The Straits Times visited several vaccination centres yesterday, all of which saw a steady stream of people coming and going. When asked why they chose a particular centre, most said they simply picked the location closest to their homes.

"I am here because the centre is near my house," said retiree Toh Hock Seng, 68, who took his second shot at Teck Ghee Community Club. "The brand doesn't really matter to me."

Housewife Pang Lay Hua, 65, who was at Bishan Community Club, said: "My friend lives nearby, so I came here to take the vaccine together with her. I didn't ask which brand it was."