Singapore Reflecting ‘1000 Confirmed Cases’, National Vaccine Already Prepared

Singapore, with a population of 5.7 million, is scheduled to start free Pfizer vaccines later this year.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Shen-Long explains on the 14th that the vaccine is insured in Singapore. [유튜브]

On the 14th (local time), the Prime Minister of Singapore, Li Xianlong (68) Sufficient vaccine to vaccinate all Singaporeans before the third quarter of next year (July to September)He said he hopes to secure.

“It is recommended that all adults get vaccinated, but it is not mandatory,” Prime Minister Lee said. He added that cabinet officials, including himself, will also be vaccinated. Long-term residents who want to get vaccinated can get the vaccine for free.

Prime Minister Lee explained the vaccine procurement process ▶ Early contact with pharmaceutical companies ▶ Efforts by ministry officials ▶ The construction of a logistics system for the transport of cryogenic vaccines was mentioned as a history of success.

Singapore’s efforts to secure a vaccine were sparked by the “painful mistake” it experienced earlier this year. From March to April this year, the number of confirmed cases in Singapore peaked at more than 1,000 per day.

Prime Minister Lee said: “A key factor (to beating the crown) was how quickly we were able to get the Corona 19 vaccine. The government has been quietly working behind the scenes for vaccination.

After allocating one billion Singapore dollars (about 820 billion won) to secure the vaccine, the Singapore government tried to contact drug companies early on. As a result, Singapore signed a pre-purchase agreement with several valid candidates, including Modena, Pfizer-Bioentech, and Synovac, and paid the advance.

Singapore’s efforts to secure vaccines have also been made within the country. Prime Minister Lee added: “The government supported vaccine research in Singapore to diversify our portfolio,” he added. “It gave Singaporean scientists the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research, while providing insurance in the event of a global supply chain collapse.”

Prime Minister Lee said: “It was thanks to the efforts of the entire government that we were able to secure vaccines quickly,” he said. “The invisible heroes who helped the bureaucrats of various ministries to overcome the crisis”.

Singapore’s investments over the years as a global logistics hub have also been instrumental in the vaccine delivery process. Pfizer vaccine must be stored and transported under cryogenic conditions below -70 degrees Celsius. In this process, infrastructure and skilled labor are essential.

“Global logistics companies like DHL are based in Singapore,” Prime Minister Lee said. “The ground handling companies at Singapore’s Changi Airport have also been certified to transport medical supplies (IATA).” “This was not done overnight,” he explained, “but years of long-term investments have paid off.”

According to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (2018), Singapore ranked second in Asia and seventh in the world. KOTRA Singapore’s trade office said: “With Corona 19, cold chain technology in Singapore’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industry is receiving more attention.”

Cold chain vehicles operating in Singapore. [로이터=연합뉴스]

We have now come up with a vaccine that can inoculate the entire population and new confirmed cases are practically “zero”, but Prime Minister Lee said: “Now is not the time to relax and be alert.” I do not ask.

According to the World Omometer on the 20th, the cumulative coronavirus confirmed in Singapore was 58,403 and 29 deaths.

Reporter Seo Yujin [email protected]