Assessment of Reports Linking COVID-19 Vaccines to Onset of Kidney Diseases in Patients with Renal Problems

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1387 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 4 OCTOBER 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 3467

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there are incidences of severe kidney damage caused by COVID-19 which resulted in the need for dialysis; (b) whether the Ministry is aware of reports suggesting the possibility of links between COVID-19 vaccinations to the onset of kidney diseases in patients with renal problems; and (c) whether there are any related studies being done in Singapore.

Written Answer

Severe infections and illnesses, particularly those requiring intensive care, can result in acute kidney injury that necessitates dialysis. This has also been observed for COVID-19 patients who became severely ill. Otherwise, COVID-19 has not been established to directly cause an increased risk of end-stage kidney disease requiring long-term dialysis. Likewise, there has been no established link, locally or internationally, between COVID-19 vaccines and kidney disease.