With this first batch of 10,000 doses offered across Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Parkway Shenton clinics in Duxton and One Raffles Quay, IHH Singapore is able to inoculate some 5,000 people.

Dr Noel Yeo, Chief Operating Officer of IHH Healthcare Singapore, said that more than 6,000 individuals had registered their interest to receive the Sinopharm vaccine even before it was made available.

"We were aware there is a demand for alternative vaccines. However, the response for Sinopharm has been overwhelming. We are making plans for second orders but we have to clear approvals from HSA (Health Sciences Authority) first,” he said.

For those looking for alternative vaccines, the Sinopharm vaccine has a reported higher efficacy rate compared to the Sinovac vaccine - 79 per cent compared to 51 per cent - and reportedly milder side effects.