By Massita Ahmad
SINGAPORE, June 1 (NNN-Bernama) — Singapore is currently reviewing local and international safety data on vaccinating persons with a history of anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) due to food and other medicines, with a view to allowing this group to receive the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines safely.
In a statement late Monday, the republic’s Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination said it intended to complete this review in the next two weeks.
Given the local and international data accrued, the Committee said it recommended that the medical eligibility for using the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines can be safely expanded.
The Committee had just recommended extending the use of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to population subgroups previously restricted namely Pregnancy and Breastfeeding as well as Cancer Patients on Treatment.
As the accrued international data is reassuring, the Committee has also determined that it is safe for persons with a history of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) to be vaccinated.
This group of persons were previously contraindicated against the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, out of an abundance of caution, it said.
SCAR include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, Drug-induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome.
— NNN-BERNAMA