Healthcare Workers with Severe Adverse Reactions from COVID-19 Vaccinations
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the number of healthcare workers experiencing severe adverse reactions from COVID-19 vaccinations, as raised by Dr Tan Wu Meng. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung reported 20 serious adverse events, noting that causality was not yet established and nine cases required over 14 days of leave. One staff member was unable to resume work, with clusters providing support through medical benefits, hospitalisation leave, and flexible work arrangements. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung stated that eligible staff are guided through the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme application process for independent clinical review. Public healthcare clusters remain committed to supporting all staff who experience side effects from vaccinations received in the line of duty.
Transcript
24 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health (a) to date, how many healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced severe adverse reactions from COVID-19 vaccinations; (b) of these, how many required time away from work exceeding (i) 14 days and (ii) 30 days, respectively; (c) how many affected HCWs could not resume their previous work deployment; and (d) what support is provided to HCWs facing severe side effects of COVID-19 vaccinations received in the line of duty and employment.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The incidence rate of serious side effect arising from COVID-19 vaccinations is about 0.007%, or seven in 100,000. Since we started COVID-19 vaccinations, the clusters have reported to the Ministry of Health (MOH) 20 instances of serious adverse events, soon after the healthcare workers received their vaccinations.
I should emphasise that these are reported serious adverse events, where the causal link to vaccinations have yet to be established. Six cases resulted in between 15 and 30 days away from work, and three cases resulted in more than 30 days away from work.
For staff who are unable to resume work due to severe reactions from COVID-19 vaccinations, our public healthcare clusters have supported them by granting medical benefits, outpatient sick leave and hospitalisation leave, even working from home when practical and required. Our public healthcare clusters remain committed to support staff who experience side effects arising from COVID-19 vaccinations.
There has been one reported case of a staff from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) who was unable to resume work shortly after her COVID-19 vaccination. SGH continues to stay in touch with their former staff to provide support. MOH has also shared with the former staff on the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP) application process. If received, her application will be reviewed by the VIFAP independent clinical panel.