COVID-19 Vaccinations Recommendations and Uptake

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1597
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 JANUARY 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Lim Wee Kiak
MP for Sembawang GRC

Question No. 3960

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there is an increasing trend of younger Singaporeans being resistant to the idea of taking COVID-19 boosters because they have previously contracted COVID-19 or believe the new variants to be less infectious; and (b) what is the advisory with regard to the mindset that booster shots should not be required annually.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1611
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 JANUARY 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling
MP for East Coast GRC

Question No. 3996

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the current vaccination rate amongst seniors aged above 70 who have taken their second booster shot for COVID-19; and (b) in view of global travel with the reopening of borders and the winter season, whether more seniors will be encouraged to take their booster shots including those living in nursing homes.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1621
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 10 JANUARY 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye
MP for Radin Mas

Question No. 2587

To ask the Minister for Health (a) how many Singaporeans aged 60 and above do not have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination; (b) whether nasal vaccines for COVID-19 have been shown to be effective and a viable option for these seniors; and (c) if so, when will such vaccines be approved for use in Singapore.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1627
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 13 JANUARY 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Wan Rizal
MP for Jalan Besar GRC

Question No. 2592

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the proportion of residents currently vaccinated with the latest bivalent COVID-19 vaccines; and (b) whether the current proportion of vaccinated residents is sufficient in forming herd immunity to protect against the possible surge in cases due to the year-end travel season.

Answer

Mr Speaker Sir, may I answer PQ 26 and 27 in today’s Order Paper please? My response will also address the questions by Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye and Dr Wan Rizal which are scheduled for a subsequent sitting.

Our current vaccine recommendation is for persons aged 5 years and above to complete three mRNA or Novavax/Nuvaxovid doses, or four Sinovac-CoronaVac doses to achieve minimum protection. Thereafter, persons aged 12 years and above should receive one additional dose between five months to one year from their last dose to keep their vaccination up-to-date. The bivalent vaccines are recommended for the additional doses.

This is not very different from vaccination against Influenza, which is an endemic disease where the virus is constantly evolving and mutating. Annual vaccination is therefore recommended for Influenza, and commonly practiced in many countries. MOH and the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V) recommend up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations for all eligible persons, young and old, because the benefits of vaccination outweighs the risks of being infected. 

As of 31 December 2022, about 90% of individuals aged 60 years and above have achieved minimum protection and about 60% are up-to-date with their vaccinations. The proportions are similar for those aged 18-59 years. 

The Ministry of Health will continue to facilitate vaccinations. Currently, all eligible persons can walk-in to Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres to receive additional doses beyond minimum protection, without an appointment. Mobile vaccination teams are also deployed to housing estates and nursing homes to make it more convenient for seniors to get vaccinated. The People’s Association and the Silver Generation Office have also been reaching out to our seniors to encourage them to get their vaccinations and keep them up-to-date. 

Vaccination remains our primary line of defence against COVID-19. At this time, the efficacy and safety of nasal COVID-19 vaccines are still being studied internationally. MOH, together with the EC19V, and other experts will continue to review the national vaccination strategy to best protect our population.