[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: The COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 70 and over started in Singapore on Monday (February 22).
This follows a pilot conducted at Tanjong Pagar and Ang Mo Kio that began in late January. More than 5,000 seniors from the two cities have received their vaccinations as of February 18, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said last week.
READ: People aged 70 and over will receive COVID-19 vaccination letters during the next 3 weeks: MINSA
Older people are at increased risk of serious illness or complications from COVID-19 infection and have been given priority for vaccination, the Health Ministry said on February 19.
“We will start by inviting older people who live near polyclinics or vaccination centers, so that they can be conveniently vaccinated at a vaccination site near their home,” he added.
On Monday, the CNA visited a vaccination center run by Thomson Medical at the Senja-Cashew Community Center in Bukit Panjang.
There were clear signs to take people to the vaccination center installed in a multipurpose room and 16 booths set up for vaccines. There was also an area for those who had just been vaccinated to be observed, before they were allowed to leave.
The executive director of the Thomson Medical Specialist Centers, Chan Wei Ling, said the one-week time frame to set up the center was “tight” but manageable with help.
“The Ministry of Health provided us with a very close orientation, helped us, facilitated visits to the vaccination centers that are already in operation so that we can better understand the work flow,” he said, adding that the Popular Association helped with the Logistics.
Each vaccination center will be able to inoculate 2,000 people a dayand the center will operate for the next six months, or longer if necessary, he said.
As vaccination can only be done by reserving a space in advance, there are booths set up by the Palestinian Authority at vaccination centers to help with this, he said.
Vaccination for people over 70 years of age began on February 22, 2021 (Photo: Hani Amin).
When asked about how they avoid wasting vaccines, which cannot stay at room temperature for long after thawing, he said: “Even though we have 1,000 people reserved for the day, we have to watch the crowd, make sure people be here first before preparing the vaccine. Otherwise, there will be waste, ”he said.
Thomson Medical, which runs another vaccination center at Bishan Community Center, is prepared to care for older people who have an adverse reaction to the vaccine, he added.
TREAT ADVERSE REACTIONS
“We have a doctor on site and the whole team ready, with medications ready to deal with severe reactions,” Ms. Chan said. For the most serious cases, the doctor will stabilize the patient and an ambulance will be called.
Dr. Lin Zhi Yong, the doctor on site, said there are “testers” who have been taught to ask questions about the use of blood-thinning medications by the elderly, drug allergies and food allergies. as well as past medical problems.
“If they (the elders) are not sure, they (the evaluators) can refer me. We can verify it in the National Electronic Health Registry (NEHR). The NEHR is linked to all government hospitals, so most residents will already have records there, “he said.
Some patients also bring their latest blood test reports and medication lists with them, he said.
“There may be some cases that we have evaluated that are not suitable, mainly due to a severe allergic reaction, or they are taking anticoagulant drugs that make their platelet level too low, or they have any active cancer that is under current chemotherapy treatment, ” he said.
To these older people, they would tell them that “the risk of getting vaccinated outweighs the benefit” and would advise them not to get vaccinated.
“In the meantime, (we tell them) to wear masks, practice hand hygiene, encourage those around you to get vaccinated, because if most people get vaccinated, even if they (older adults) aren’t vaccinated, there will be herd immunity, “he said.
As of about 3 pm Monday, fewer than five older adults at the center had been assessed as unsuitable, “primarily because of a more severe allergic reaction to medications,” Dr. Lin said.
Among those who did get vaccinated was Ng Sam Mui, 74. Ms. Ng, who went to get vaccinated with her husband, lives near the community center. He said his son took them to the vaccination center.
Ms Ng, who spoke with CNA during the 30-minute observation period, said she felt normal after vaccination.
“I know (in case) it already gets infected, it’s better for us, it’s safe. We have to take care of ourselves, “he said.
Mr. Tan Hong San also got vaccinated.
“When I was young, I was vaccinated against smallpox. I think it is an indication that it is a good thing: vaccination to prevent infection. It is our way of overcoming the disease,” he said.
Vaccination for seniors ages 60-69 will begin in late March. Seniors will be able to schedule their vaccinations at any of the vaccination centers, 20 polyclinics or 22 Public Health Preparation Clinics (PHPC) that function as vaccination sites.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
