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SINGAPORE – Vulnerable people and people most likely to be exposed to infection, such as healthcare workers, will be the first to receive the Covid-19 vaccine when one becomes available.
Coverage of the vaccine will be progressively expanded to the rest of the population, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in a written response to a parliamentary question on Friday (September 4).
“The vaccination strategy and schedule would depend on several factors, including the suitability of different vaccines for different population subgroups and the number of vaccines available at any one time.”
Singapore will continue to adapt its vaccination strategy as more information becomes available on the various vaccines being developed, he added.
Gan was responding to Mr. Ang Wei Neng (West Coast GRC) and Mr. Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok), who wanted to know more about Singapore’s Covid-19 vaccine strategy.
Gan said Singapore is working to ensure it has timely access to an effective and safe vaccine when it becomes available, noting the country’s involvement in international initiatives and local efforts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
On the international front, the minister said that Singapore has ongoing discussions with multiple pharmaceutical companies that are developing Covid-19 vaccines.
It is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), the Coalition for Innovations in Epidemic Preparedness and other countries to establish a multilateral collaboration called Covid-19 Vaccine. Global Access (Covax) Facility.
Working with multinational and developing country vaccine manufacturers, Covax Facility aims to deliver by the end of next year two billion doses of safe and effective vaccines that have passed regulatory approval and / or WHO prequalification.
Gan said the joint effort will allow countries to pool risks and resources to gain access to a portfolio of vaccines from different vaccine developers.
“Ensuring equitable access to vaccines will help to better contain and eradicate the Covid-19 pandemic, not only in Singapore but also globally,” he added.
The government is also supporting local efforts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
Scientists at Duke-NUS School of Medicine have partnered with US biotechnology company Arcturus Therapeutics, and the jointly developed vaccine has been undergoing early-stage human trials since early August.
The trials are managed by SingHealth’s Research Medicine Unit, Mr. Gan said.
This jointly developed vaccine is one of 34 candidates worldwide that have reached human trials. About 142 others are in the prehuman testing stage.
“Singapore is also increasing vaccine manufacturing capacity, which can provide fill and finish contract manufacturing services to vaccine developers and increase vaccine production when available,” he added.
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