'Very small risk' of heart inflammation after second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: Singapore expert committee - CNA

SINGAPORE: There may be a "very small risk" of heart inflammation after the second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, said the government-appointed expert committee on COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore. 

In a media release on Friday (Jun 11), the committee said it is closely monitoring international reports that the second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may be associated with a small risk of myocarditis and pericarditis in young men. 

Myocarditis and pericarditis are inflammatory conditions that affect the heart muscles and the outer lining of the heart respectively. 

Increased occurrences of myocarditis and pericarditis after the second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations have been observed in Israel and the United States, and in adolescents and young men younger than 25 years.

Singapore uses the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for its national vaccination programme. Both are mRNA-based vaccines.

READ: Israel sees probable link between Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and small number of myocarditis cases

In a separate update, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said Israel, which uses the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, recently announced that there may be a probable link between the second dose and the onset of myocarditis in men aged between 16 and 30 years old in its population. 

The link was found stronger among the younger age group of 16 to 19 years old. 

While no other country has highlighted a similar causal link to date, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that it has observed more cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in male patients aged between 16 and 24 years old. 

"Nonetheless, they have stressed that investigations are ongoing, and they have not made any conclusion about a causal link," said HSA. 

MOST CASES ARE "MILD", SIX SUCH REPORTS RECEIVED BY HSA

Myocarditis and pericarditis occur more often in men compared to women. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heartbeats. 

Most cases are mild and patients recover without the need for significant intervention, nor do they suffer from any long-term effects. The expert committee added that very rarely, severe cases may result in damage to the heart muscles. 

READ: EU adds another rare blood condition as side effect of AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot

The two conditions are separate and distinct from heart attacks, which are caused when the blood flow to the heart is blocked. 

In Singapore, HSA said it has received six such reports as of Jun 7. Two of the cases involved a man and a woman older than 40 years old. The other four cases involved men aged between 18 and 30 years old. 

"(The four cases) are at the upper end of the expected range for this age group, based on background incidence rates," said HSA. 

Most of the cases were reported to have occurred within a few days after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. All have recovered or have been discharged well from the hospital. 

Although the local numbers are small, the pattern of occurrence after the second COVID-19 vaccine and in young men is consistent with what has been observed in the US and Israel, which are the two major users of the mRNA vaccines, said HSA.

Those who developed myocarditis and pericarditis responded well to treatment and recovered, added HSA. 

READ: 'No evidence' inactivated virus vaccines more efficacious against COVID-19 variants than mRNA ones: Singapore expert committee

"Overall, the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines continue to outweigh the known risks of COVID-19 disease and its severe complications in a pandemic," it added. 

The authority has also informed the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the expert committee of its assessment. 

"We will also continue to monitor this closely and take the relevant and necessary regulatory actions," said HSA. 

The committee said it has reviewed the available international and local data. 

"Our assessment is that the benefits of receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, i.e., reduction in COVID-19 infections and severe complications even if infected, continue to outweigh the risks of vaccination."

AVOID STRENUOUS ACTIVITY ONE WEEK AFTER SECOND DOSE OF VACCINE

As further studies and investigations are ongoing, the currently available data suggests that there may be a "very small risk" of myocarditis and pericarditis after the second dose of an mRNA vaccine, particularly in young men, said the expert committee

As a precaution, the committee recommended that those vaccinated, particularly adolescents and younger men, should avoid strenuous physical activity for one week after their second dose. 

They should also seek medical attention promptly if they develop chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heartbeats. 

"COVID-19 continues to be a health threat globally and in Singapore. 

"The emergence of infectious variants can lead to widespread community COVID-19 transmission as well as the risk of severe COVID-19 disease and complications, including long term chronic complications," said the committee. 

It that the benefits of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination continue to outweigh the known and potential risks. 

HSA and MOH will also continue to monitor the safety profile of the COVID-19 vaccines closely and update members of the public of any significant safety concerns detected with the vaccines. 

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2021-06-11 16:39:11Z
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More opting for Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine despite longer wait than for Moderna - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - Slots at vaccination centres offering the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine are being taken up more quickly than those for Moderna, after vaccination bookings were made available for those aged 12 to 39 on Friday (June 11).

As people can opt for either of the two available vaccines here, some have preferred the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine because its side effects are said to be less severe, among other reasons. It is also the only one here approved for those under the age of 18.

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2021-06-11 14:07:11Z
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Singapore students optimistic about travel bubble letting them get to or come back from Australia - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans studying in Australian institutions are looking forward to a proposed travel bubble between the two countries, as they may finally be able to return to their campuses there or spend holidays with their families here.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison said on Thursday that the two countries are working towards an air travel bubble. They hoped Singapore students in Australia, whose studies have been disrupted by the Covid-19 travel restrictions, would be the first to get the opportunity to travel under the arrangement.

All six students The Straits Times spoke to on Friday (June 11) expressed optimism about the travel bubble.

For first-year students like Mr Chris Gan, who is doing his bachelor's degree in politics, philosophy and economics at the Australian National University, it will be his first chance to set foot on its campus.

The 21-year-old said he was not too concerned that the travel bubble may be one-way. "I am confident Singaporeans will be able to travel to Australia too."

Mr Sun Yuchen, 23, a third-year student at the University of Melbourne who is currently on a year's leave of absence, is looking forward to returning to campus. "I see a chance for me to return to Australia to complete my studies and gain experience by using actual facilities the school provides," he said.

Singaporeans who are currently in Australia, such as University of New South Wales student Joseph Tan, look forward to reuniting with family here.

The 23-year-old, who has been in Australia since February last year, said he had been unable to return home, as his degree in aviation requires him to attend flying lessons there.

He added: "The travel bubble between Singapore and Australia comes as a relief to me as I have the opportunity to finally return home and see my family after being away for so long. Even if I can only return for a few days, it is comforting to return home again."

Students who returned to Singapore when the Covid-19 pandemic worsened said the past year had been tough for them.

Psychology student Audrey Chan, 23, is a final-year student at the University of Queensland. She has been continuing her classes remotely since returning to Singapore in March last year.

She said: "My Singaporean and Malaysian peers agree that we often feel like an outsider or a CCTV spying on the class via Zoom, and this makes class participation painfully awkward and hard for us. Some of us are stressed out, as we find it hard to keep up with the class, especially when technology fails us."

University of Adelaide student Shalynn Tsai, 21, who is doing her bachelor's degree in dental surgery, had to take leave of absence because she was unable to return to campus by mid-September last year.

"It has been very stressful not knowing when or whether we can even continue with our degree courses," she said.

"With the travel bubble, we can finally go back and resume our studies."

While the students understand that they may need to undergo pre-departure and arrival tests for the coronavirus, they hoped they would not have to incur hefty charges and would not have to be quarantined if already vaccinated.

Mr Ryan Soh, 21, will be commencing his communication studies at Queensland University of Technology later this month. "I hope that there will be no need for a quarantine once vaccination has been done and the Covid-19 test comes back negative. Kind of like what's going on between New Zealand and Australia," he said.

"Nevertheless, if there is a need for quarantine, then hopefully it would be more accessible or cheaper for students, as some of us may not be able to afford it."

Mr Tan felt the same. "Hopefully it will not be too expensive and there will not be a need to self-quarantine for too long once I arrive at either destination. I understand the need for the Covid-19 tests to ensure there are no imported cases and hope that both countries can maintain the safety of not only its residents but those travelling as well," he said.

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2021-06-11 11:41:58Z
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COVID-19: Malaysia's total lockdown extended for two weeks until Jun 28 - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's movement control order, known as MCO 3.0, will be extended for another two weeks from Jun 15 to Jun 28.

Senior Minister for Defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced in a statement on Friday (Jun 11) that the decision to extend the MCO 3.0 was made as daily case numbers still exceeded 5,000.

“The positive/negative list (permitted and prohibited activities) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every manufacturing, business and industrial activity still remains as announced before this,” he said after attending a National Security Council meeting.

READ: PM Muhyiddin unveils RM40 billion economic stimulus package as Malaysia is set to enter total lockdown

In May, a nationwide MCO was re-imposed in Malaysia amid a third wave of COVID-19 cases. 

Known as MCO 3.0, all economic sectors were allowed to operate during the period but cross-district and interstate travel as well as social, sports and educational activities were prohibited.

Stricter restrictions on the economic and social sectors were later announced on May 21 as community cases continued to rise. The emergence of new variants have also delayed efforts to flatten the infection curve, the Prime Minister's Office had said. 

On May 28, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the country would go into total lockdown for 14 days beginning Jun 1, with only essential economic and service sectors allowed to carry on with their operations.

Case number breached the 9,000-mark on May 29, before the lockdown measures brought daily infections down gradually. On Friday, a total of 6,846 cases were reported.  

READ: UMNO wants state of emergency to end as scheduled, parliament to sit, Ahmad Zahid informs king

If the first phase of total lockdown could reduce the number of daily cases, then the country would ease into a four-week second phase, where more economic sectors would be allowed to reopen. 

Phase 3 would be similar to the movement control order (MCO) that has been enforced in the country, where nearly all economic sectors are allowed to operate with strict SOPs. 

The progression from one phase to another would be subject to the Ministry of Health's risk assessments.

As of Friday, Malaysia's national COVID-19 tally stood at 646,411. 

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

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2021-06-11 10:40:44Z
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UMNO wants state of emergency to end as scheduled, parliament to sit, Ahmad Zahid informs king - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has pleaded with the king to not extend Malaysia's state of emergency beyond Aug 1, its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said after an audience with the ruler on Friday (Jun 11). 

The party also wanted the parliament to reconvene again to ensure that the country's "democratic system can be defended", Ahmad Zahid told journalists outside the palace. 

UMNO's stance echoed that of Leader of the Opposition Anwar Ibrahim, who called for the state of emergency to end as scheduled in his meeting with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. 

Al-Sultan Abdullah has been summoning political party leaders to the palace for meetings this week.   

He first met with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin for a pre-Cabinet meeting, and then granted audiences to Mr Anwar, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu and Democratic Action Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on Wednesday. 

READ: Anwar says he pleaded with Malaysian king against extending state of emergency, new government not discussed

On Thursday, the king had audiences with leaders of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, Malaysian Chinese Associatio, Parti Warisan Sabah, as well as former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is heading the yet-to-be-registered Parti Pejuang Tanah Air. 

Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah (left) grants an audience to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Jun 9, 2021. (Photo: Facebook/Istana Negara) 

The king had earlier declared a nationwide state of emergency back in January to curb the spread of COVID-19. Parliament, state legislative assemblies and elections are suspended, while economic activities are allowed to continue.

Malaysia's COVID-19 numbers have continued to rise since January, and as of Thursday, total caseload stood at 639,562 cases, with 79,848 active cases and 3,684 deaths.

With the parliamentary suspension, the legitimacy of Mr Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional government - formed following a power tussle in February and March last year - cannot be challenged in the august house. Mr Muhyiddin had said he would advise the king to dissolve the parliament once the pandemic is under control. 

READ: Malaysian king summons more party leaders for meetings

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Ahmad Zahid said the damage of a prolonged state of emergency would be "too great for the country". 

"And it was obvious that even without the emergency, the government could previously handle matters related to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic," he said. 

Ahmad Zahid, who is Bagan Datuk MP, added that parliament meetings would ensure that the government administration is held accountable through checks and balances. 

"UMNO is of the opinion that the parliament is an important official platform to voice the people's grouses, such as moratorium, increasing price of goods, i-Sinar and i-Lestari 2.0 and other assistance for everyone," he said, referring to the retirement fund withdrawal programmes. 

On Dr Mahathir's proposal to set up a National Operations Council to take over the country's administration, Ahmad Zahid said this was not discussed in his meeting with the king. 

The council, better known by its Malay abbreviation Mageran, was an emergency administrative body established to restore the rule of law in Malaysia after the May 13 racial riots in 1969.

The opposition alliance Pakatan Harapan has rejected the proposal on Friday, and reiterated its stance that the state of emergency should end immediately and the parliament should reconvene. 

Meanwhile, the palace said the king is due to meet with the other Malay rulers next Wednesday for a special discussion on the efforts to fight COVID-19 and their implementation during the state of emergency.  

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2021-06-11 05:01:35Z
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Students from Singapore could be given priority in pilot scheme for possible air travel bubble with Australia - CNA

SINGAPORE: Students from Singapore could be given priority to travel to Australia to pursue or complete their studies when the infrastructure for safe travel is in place, said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday (Jun 10). 

Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Morrison following the in-person leaders’ meeting that took place earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the two discussed how two-way travel between the countries can eventually resume in a safe and calibrated manner “when both sides are ready”. 

This can “start small” with an air travel bubble “when ready”, said Mr Lee in his statement, which was broadcast live on his Facebook page. 

“We need to prepare the infrastructure and processes to get ready to do this. It starts with mutual recognition of health and vaccination certificates, possibly in a digital form. When all the preparations are ready, we can start small with an air travel bubble to build confidence on both sides,” he added. 

There is still some time before Singapore and Australia “reach that milestone”, but the two countries will be “getting on with the job” of putting systems in place that will enable such a bubble to emerge between Singapore and Australia, similar to the one between Australia and New Zealand, said Mr Morrison. 

“But in addition to that ... giving priority to students from Singapore to be able to return to Australia to complete their studies and to engage in their studies,” he added. 

“And for the students from Singapore ... a first opportunity to see increased travel between Australia and Singapore realised, and for that to occur sooner rather than later.” 

READ: COVID-19: Singapore tightens border measures for travellers from Australia's Victoria state 

This is the sixth Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Meeting. Mr Lee and Mr Morrison held their previous meeting in March last year by video conference because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr Morrison's trip to Singapore is the first official visit by a foreign leader since the start of the pandemic.

The 6th Singapore-Australia Leaders' Meeting was held in Singapore on Jun 10, 2021. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)

TRAVEL BUBBLE CONDITIONS

Responding to a question following the prime ministers' statements, Mr Morrison said Singapore is the first country outside of New Zealand that Australia wishes to engage in a travel bubble with. 

Adding that Australia’s system for digital vaccination certificates had just gone live, he said: “And we get it right in Singapore, which we know we can do, because of the very sophisticated systems that Singapore has.” 

“And with some encouragement from Prime Minister Lee, we really do want to focus on those students coming ... as part of the exercise piloting how these systems can work most effectively when we get to the next phase ... but the timing of that is still somewhere away.” 

READ: Singapore, Australia in discussions on travel bubble

“Quite a number” of students from Singapore study in Australia and some students came home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Mr Lee. 

These students in Singapore are unable to go back to Australia to resume their studies, and “there’s urgency for them”, he added. 

“Especially for those of them who have got clinical attachments or postings, and to be unable to take them up, it's very, very disruptive to their studies.” 

Mr Lee said he also suggested to Mr Morrison that these students could be one way to test the safe travel systems and “get a pilot going so that we can widen the project”, and later on implement a full travel bubble between Singapore and Australia. 

“There's no timetable, but we hope it can be done as soon as possible.” 

Vaccination rates and COVID-19 transmission rates will be considered when setting up the travel bubble, said Mr Lee during the press conference. 

“I would say that in Singapore, we are making good progress with our vaccination program. In Australia, they're also steadily vaccinating the population. And I think once the majority of the population is vaccinated, it becomes much easier for us to contemplate these openings,” he added. 

The prevailing transmission rates will “certainly be a factor”, said Mr Lee. 

“What we want to do is to get the preconditions infrastructure ready, the vaccine recognition, what are the standards, what are the conditions. Then the actual decision to do it, that is a political decision. But let's get everything teed up, so that we are in the position to make the political decision when we want to do so,” he added. 

Neither Singapore nor Australia has identified a benchmark vaccination rate that would influence the decision on an air travel bubble, said Mr Morrison, adding that this would be dependent on the advice of the medical community. 

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left) with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 6th Singapore-Australia Leaders' Meeting in Singapore on Jun 10, 2021. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)

DEFENCE AND FINTECH PARTNERSHIPS

Addressing other areas of partnership between Singapore and Australia, Mr Lee noted that the two countries’ treaty on military training and training area development came into force in December 2020. 

“This was a milestone in our longstanding defence partnership,” he added. 

“Singapore greatly appreciates Australia’s generous and sustained support for SAF’s training. Over many years, in many air bases and camps all over Australia.” 

The bilateral digital economy agreement between the two countries also came into force in 2020, said Mr Lee. 

“This was the fruit of our forward looking, open and progressive attitudes towards trade and the future economy,” he added. 

Building on the agreement, the two leaders will commence discussions to develop a fintech bridge between the two countries, said Mr Lee in his opening remarks. 

Singapore and Australia are also exploring collaborations on low-emissions solutions to support climate change efforts, said Mr Lee. 

“This is another key domestic priority for both of us, and it includes a public-private partnership on low emissions fuels and technologies for shipping and port operations, based at Nanyang Technological University’s Eco Labs. 

“We are also exploring a broader partnership on a green economy agreement. This will facilitate trade and investment in environmentally sustainable goods and services, and strengthen environmental governance and our capacity to address climate change.” 

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2021-06-10 13:02:03Z
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Indonesia reports nearly 9000 new COVID-19 infections as virus variants cause concern - CNA

JAKARTA: Indonesia reported 8,892 new daily coronavirus infections on Thursday (Jun 10), the highest number since Feb 23. The country has reported nearly 1.9 million cases in total.

Data from Indonesia's COVID-19 taskforce also showed 211 deaths reported on Thursday, taking total fatalities to 52,373.

A jump in coronavirus cases on Indonesia's two most populous islands has health experts worried that the worst could be yet to come, with few curbs on movement at a time when dangerous variants drive record fatalities elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Case numbers have risen sharply in Java and Sumatra three weeks after holidays that followed the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, when millions ventured across the archipelago, ignoring a temporary travel ban.

READ: Thousands make last-ditch attempt to leave Jakarta ahead of 2nd Idul Fitri travel ban

In Kudus, central Java, where healthcare reinforcements have been brought in, cases skyrocketed 7,594 per cent according to Wiku Adisasmito of Indonesia's COVID-19 task force. Hospital capacity had hit 90 per cent there, local media reported.

Defriman Djafri, an epidemiologist from Andalas University in Pandang, said fatalities in West Sumatra in May were the most on record.

In Riau on Sumatra, daily cases more than doubled from early April to more than 800 by mid-May, while the positivity rate was at 35.8 per cent last week, said Wildan Asfan Hasibuan, an epidemiologist and provincial task force adviser.

READ: Indonesia reinforces hospitals amid worrying COVID-19 surge in some areas

Wildan attributed the spike to increased mobility and possible spread of coronavirus variants, which have driven big spikes in many countries.

The impact of variants of concern is hard to determine in Indonesia, which has limited genomic sequencing capacity.

It also has testing and tracing shortfalls and its immunisation drive has progressed slowly, with one in 18 people targeted for inoculations fully vaccinated so far.

Recent studies have also indicated cases could be far higher than the nearly 1.9 million known infections, among Asia's highest caseloads.

READ: Is it all Greek to you? COVID-19 variants get new names

Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University, said Indonesia should take COVID-19 variants more seriously, particularly the Delta variant, which he said was in its early stage of spreading.

"If we don't change our strategy, we will face an explosion of cases in the community, mortality will increase," he said.

"It means sooner or later it will reach the more vulnerable ... we will face an explosion of cases which we cannot contain or respond to in our health facilities."

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2021-06-10 11:44:44Z
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