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SINGAPORE – The national Covid-19 vaccination campaign has been advanced for all older people and will also be extended to more high-risk groups and essential workers, including teachers, postmen, and migrant workers.
This is possible because more supplies of the vaccine have arrived, the Health Ministry said on Monday (March 8).
As of Sunday, more than 596,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered.
In total, around 379,000 people in Singapore have received at least the first dose; of which more than 217,000 have received their second dose, MINSA said.
The ministry had previously announced that seniors ages 60 to 69 would receive their first dose in late March.
However, on Monday he said that all seniors in this age group will receive his invitation letters in the coming days.
Each letter will have a web link that can be used to register for the vaccination, after which an SMS with a unique booking link will be sent to the elderly person’s mobile phone for them to book a vaccination appointment.
Seniors can also book their vaccination appointments at any community center or community club.
So far, more than 55,000 people ages 70 and older have received their first dose of the vaccine, while another 96,000 older people have made appointments to receive their first dose in the coming weeks.
The Health Ministry also said the vaccine program will continue to be extended to other higher-risk groups, as well as essential frontline workers critically important to Singapore, including those who could pose a risk to vulnerable populations and the community in general if they are infected.
Essential personnel in critical functions
So far, the Government has been offering vaccines to personnel who provide essential services, including security agencies; those in the utility industry, such as water, energy and telecommunications service providers; and workers who ensure the supply of food and basic household items.
However, as more vaccine stocks arrive, this will extend to essential personnel involved in other critical functions, such as postmen and delivery personnel, as well as news reporters and banking operations personnel involved in critical operations of banking systems and financial
Essential workers most at risk of exposure and subsequent transmission
Vaccination had also previously been offered to groups that were at increased risk of exposure, such as active taxi drivers and private rental car drivers who may have transported infected passengers.
In the future, vaccination will be extended to those who have multiple points of contact with many members of the community.
These include those who work in street vendor centers and markets, such as vendors and booth attendants, as well as those who serve in the food delivery industry.
Singapore will also start vaccinating educators and staff who come into long-term contact with children and youth, starting with those working in pre-schools, national schools, the Institute of Technical Education and polytechnics.
This will be progressively extended to those who work in other educational institutions, the MS said.
“As current vaccines are not yet certified for those under 16, vaccinating educators and adult staff will help protect them and their students, and will ensure that our schools and educational institutions remain safe places for learning.” , He said. .
Eligible persons will be informed of the vaccination schedule by the relevant government agencies and will receive a personalized SMS from the Ministry of Health to notify them to book their vaccination appointments at vaccina.gov.sg.
The Covid-19 vaccine will be available at all vaccination centers and polyclinics, and at selected Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPC).
Migrant workers in dormitories
The Health Ministry noted that migrant worker dormitories are another potential source of large groups of Covid-19, which could then transmit the virus to the local community.
“Vaccination of migrant workers living in dormitories is therefore part of our national Covid-19 vaccination strategy to protect all Singaporeans and long-term residents,” the ministry said.
Vaccination for these workers will start with 10,000 workers who have never been infected by Covid-19 and live in the five largest dormitories.
This round of vaccination will take place within these dormitories.
Then the vaccination will progressively be made available to other migrant workers.
Workers who have completed vaccination may have a lower frequency of testing, and testing is done every 28 days instead of the current 14-day cycle, the Health Ministry said.
Goods delivery workers
The Health Ministry said that to minimize transmission risks for workers supplying essential goods to Singapore, vaccination will be offered later this month to selected freight drivers and accompanying personnel entering Singapore from Malaysia on a regular basis.
“Vaccination will provide an additional layer of protection against Covid-19, ensuring that these personnel can continue to deliver essential products to Singapore safely,” the Health Ministry said.
Those who are eligible for vaccination will be notified via personalized SMS from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and will be contacted later for an appointment to undergo vaccination at designated sites in Singapore.
The Health Ministry clarified that those who are not vaccinated can continue to enter Singapore, subject to current infection control measures, such as tests on arrival and corresponding safe handling measures.
Emphasizing that provisions have been made to vaccinate everyone in Singapore, the Health Ministry said it will continue to systematically extend vaccination to other segments from April.
“While the Covid-19 vaccination is voluntary, we strongly advise Singapore residents and long-term residents who are medically eligible to come forward for vaccination when their turn comes. That is the only way that we, as a society, can stay safe from disease, ”the ministry said.
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