COVID-19 Vaccination Trends and Rates amongst Youths and Seniors in Singapore
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns vaccination trends and booster rates among youths and seniors, as raised by Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung responded that individuals aged 12 and above should receive an additional dose annually to maintain protection against evolving variants. He reported that while 90% of seniors have minimum protection, only 60% are up to date, with similar proportions found in the 18 to 59 age group. To facilitate higher uptake, the Ministry of Health uses walk-in centres, mobile vaccination teams for nursing homes, and outreach by the Silver Generation Office. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung emphasized that regular boosters are necessary for endemic COVID-19 management, similar to the approach used for influenza.
Transcript
26 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health (a) whether there is an increasing trend of younger Singaporeans being resistant to the idea of taking COVID-19 boosters because they have previously contracted COVID-19 or believe the new variants to be less infectious; and (b) what is the advisory with regard to the mindset that booster shots should not be required annually.
27 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the current vaccination rate amongst seniors aged above 70 who have taken their second booster shot for COVID-19; and (b) in view of global travel with the reopening of borders and the winter season, whether more seniors will be encouraged to take their booster shots including those living in nursing homes.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: My response will also address the questions by Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye1 and Dr Wan Rizal2 which are scheduled for a subsequent Sitting.
Our current vaccine recommendation is for persons aged five years and above to complete three mRNA or Novavax/Nuvaxovid doses, or four Sinovac-CoronaVac doses to achieve minimum protection. Thereafter, persons aged 12 years and above should receive one additional dose between five months and one year from their last dose to keep their vaccination up to date. The bivalent vaccines are recommended for the additional doses.
This is not very different from vaccination against influenza, which is an endemic disease where the virus is constantly evolving and mutating. Annual vaccination is, therefore, recommended for influenza and commonly practised in many countries. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V) recommend up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations for all eligible persons, young and old, because the benefits of vaccination outweighs the risks of being infected.
As of 31 December 2022, about 90% of individuals aged 60 years and above have achieved minimum protection and about 60% are up to date with their vaccinations. The proportions are similar for those aged 18 to 59 years.
MOH will continue to facilitate vaccinations. Currently, all eligible persons can walk-in to the Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres to receive additional doses beyond minimum protection, without an appointment. Mobile vaccination teams are also deployed to housing estates and nursing homes to make it more convenient for seniors to get vaccinated. The People's Association and the Silver Generation Office have also been reaching out to our seniors to encourage them to get their vaccinations and keep them up to date.
Vaccination remains our primary line of defence against COVID-19. At this time, the efficacy and safety of nasal COVID-19 vaccines are still being studied internationally. MOH, together with the EC19V, and other experts will continue to review the national vaccination strategy to best protect our population.