Proposal to Make COVID-19 Vaccination Mandatory to Relieve Pressure on Healthcare System

46 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Health having regard to his press statement on 20 October 2021 that persons who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 are causing the healthcare system to be under serious stress, whether the Ministry considers it is now time to make it compulsory for all medically eligible persons to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive booster shots so as to relieve the pressure on the healthcare system and allow for a faster reopening of the economy.

47 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all who are not medically exempt from taking the vaccine; and (b) for persons who are not medically exempt from COVID-19 vaccination but remain unvaccinated by choice, whether the Ministry will have them take responsibility for their own healthcare costs if they get infected with COVID-19.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: I thank the Members for the questions. I have addressed them in my reply to Question No. 72 for oral answer on the Order Paper for 1 November 2021. [Please refer to “Assessment Criteria for Sinovac and Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccines for Inclusion in National Vaccination Programme", Official Report, 1 November 2021, Vol 95, Issue 41, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer Not Answered by End of Question Time section.]