Members of the public getting their Covid-19 vaccine at the vaccination centre in Jalan Besar Community Club on Feb 19, 2021. GAVIN FOO/THE STRAITS TIMES
Covid-19 vaccinations for Singaporeans aged 60 to 69 will start around the end of next month, with the rest of the population to follow suit in April, health minister Gan Kim Yong said on February 19.
The health ministry said Covid-19 vaccination for seniors aged 70 years and above will start on February 22, following a pilot for those living in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar.
More than 5,000 seniors from both towns have received their vaccinations.
Over the next three weeks, others in that age group can expect to receive letters inviting them to sign up for vaccination.
Gan noted that Singapore currently has 11 vaccination centres in operation, with three more slated to open next week. More than 30 centres will be up and running by the middle of next month, with the full complement of around 40 centres to be in full swing by end April.
He said: “We will watch the progress and if need be, we will open up additional vaccination centres to cater to the needs of the population.”
Asked about the recent incident of a 72-year-old who suffered a cardiac arrest after getting his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, Gan reiterated Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s initial assessment – that there is no evidence the vaccine had led to the episode. The man was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“I want to assure Singaporeans that we do take these very seriously,” he stressed. “Whether they are related to vaccinations or not, we want to know if there are any such incidents so that we can investigate in-depth and better understand the situation.”
Gan also said the government will continue to refine its processes to ensure that vaccination remains safe.
Before getting vaccinated, people will have to answer questions such as whether they have medical conditions that have compromised their immune systems, or if they have had severe allergies.
Volunteers like 70-year-old Agnes Teo have been going from door to door to explain vaccinations to seniors and help arrange their vaccination appointments.
“I explain vaccinations to them and let them know things like whether or not they should wear long sleeves,” said Ms Teo, who speaks English, Mandarin, Malay and a few Chinese languages.
THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
