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SINGAPORE: Singapore will advance COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 60 to 69, and people in this age group will receive letters inviting them to register their appointments in the coming days, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (Mar 8 ).
The Health Ministry had announced last month that people in this age group would start getting vaccinated around the end of March.
“As more vaccine supplies have arrived, we can advance vaccination for seniors 60 to 69 years old,” the ministry said.
“All older people in this age group will receive their invitation letters in the next few days.
“Each letter will have a web link that can be used to register for 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,” the ministry said. of health.
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They can also book their appointments at any community center or community club.
More than 55,000 seniors have received their first dose of the vaccine since vaccines for those over 70 began on February 22, the Health Ministry said.
Another 96,000 older people have made appointments to receive their first dose in the coming weeks.
“Letters of invitation have already been sent to all people aged 70 and over, and we are making steady progress in vaccinating this group,” the Health Ministry said.
About 379,000 people in Singapore have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Sunday, the ministry said.
Of these, more than 217,000 received their second dose and completed the full vaccination regimen, the Health Ministry added.
Singapore has administered more than 596,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine so far.
VACCINES FOR MORE ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN CRITICAL FUNCTIONS
As more vaccine stocks arrive, the Health Ministry said vaccines will be offered to more workers involved in other critical functions, such as postmen and delivery staff, news reporters, bank employees in critical operations of banking systems and financial
The ministry noted that it has been progressively vaccinating workers in essential services such as security agencies, those involved in the provision of public services such as water, energy and telecommunications services, as well as workers who ensure the supply of essential food and household items.
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In addition to vaccinating healthcare workers as a priority, the Ministry of Health noted that the Expert Committee on Vaccination against COVID-19 also recommended prioritizing frontline workers who are at increased risk of exposure to COVID infection. -19.
These include people from the maritime and aviation sectors, “as well as specific groups that are critically important to the functioning of Singapore.”
“We will therefore continue to progressively extend our vaccination program to other higher risk groups, as well as essential frontline workers critically important to Singapore, including those who could pose a risk to our vulnerable populations and the wider community. if they are infected, “said MOH.
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IMMUNIZATIONS TO START FOR EDUCATORS, SCHOOL PERSONNEL
The ministry also announced that the vaccines will be rolled out to people who have “multiple points of contact with many members of our community.”
These include people who work in street vendor centers and markets, such as vendors and booth attendants, as well as people who serve in the food delivery industry.
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The Health Ministry will also begin vaccinating educators and members of the teaching staff who have long-term contact with children and youth, the ministry said.
“We will start with those who work in preschools, national schools, the Institute of Technical Education (colleges) and polytechnics, and will progressively extend to those who work in other educational institutions,” said the Ministry of Health.
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He added: “As current vaccines are not yet certified for those under the age of 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 them. learning. . “
Those eligible for the vaccine 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.
The COVID-19 vaccine will be available at all vaccination centers, polyclinics and selected public health preparedness clinics.
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