Revision to Advisories on COVID-19 Vaccinations and Other Measures

6 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Government’s position is that non-vulnerable Singaporeans should continue to get their booster shots to keep their vaccination against COVID-19 current; and (b) how long more will Singaporeans continue to be able to get their booster shots free-of-charge.

7 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health (a) whether an update can be provided on the Ministry's review of the remaining post-COVID-19 measures currently in place such as the mask-wearing requirement in healthcare settings; (b) whether there are plans to modify this measure to make mask-wearing non-mandatory in healthcare settings; and (c) if so, when will this change take place.

The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Janil Puthucheary) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 6 and 7 together?

Mr Speaker: Please do.

Dr Janil Puthucheary: Thank you, Sir. My response will also cover the matters raised in the written question by Ms Joan Pereira.

Sir, since the transition to Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) Green in February 2023, all COVID-19 measures have been stepped down, with the exception of the National Vaccination Programme (NVP) which serves as our first line of defence against the fast-mutating COVID-19 virus. However, we have also adjusted our normal time practices, such as requiring mask wearing in patient-facing settings, to better protect patients and healthcare workers from respiratory infectious diseases in general, not just for COVID-19. The Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue to monitor the broader communicable disease situation, review our disease control practices and adjust our approach.

New COVID-19 variants will continue to emerge. The latest variants of interests are EG.5 and BA.2.86, which have a number of additional mutations compared with previous Omicron variants. Fortunately, so far, the science and empirical evidence show that existing vaccines continue to accord good protection against severe illness for individuals.

The pharmaceutical industry continues to update COVID-19 vaccines to preserve the effectiveness against new variants. For example, Pfizer’s latest vaccine specifically targets XBB1.5. Our contracts with suppliers enable us to procure the latest vaccines once they are assessed to be appropriate for the local situation.

Recently, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved the monovalent XBB 1.5 vaccine from Pfizer for patients aged six months and above and is reviewing other XBB.1.5 vaccines. The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination is currently reviewing the data of the updated Comirnaty vaccine and will be providing its recommendations. The updated Comirnaty vaccine could arrive in Singapore by end-October. We will share more details when operational arrangements are confirmed.

We are able to achieve DORSCON Green not because COVID-19 became a mild disease. It is still a dangerous virus, especially for our vulnerable individuals and seniors. We can live with the virus now because our resilience has strengthened due to vaccinations and safe recovery from infections.

It is, therefore, important for us to maintain our resilience. That is why MOH strongly recommends that seniors aged 60 years and above, as well as residents living in aged care facilities and medically vulnerable persons, continue to receive a booster dose of the updated vaccine one year after their last booster dose. Healthy persons aged 12 to 59 may also receive the additional dose in 2023, which remains free under NVP, if they choose to. There are no plans to charge for COVID-19 vaccines because vaccines still play a critical role in keeping COVID-19 at bay.

Mr Speaker: Mr Saktiandi Supaat.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for his answer. Just one supplementary question. May I ask the Senior Minister of State what is the long-term COVID-19 exit strategy for Singapore and whether we have attained herd immunity such that continued vaccination will be optional from now on? I am glad to hear the Senior Minister of State mention that there are no plans to charge for booster shots going forward and that those aged 12 to 59 would still be advised to take their vaccines.

Dr Janil Puthucheary: The COVID-19 situation is quite dynamic. The virus mutates. What it does, it is still changing. So, there is really insufficient data to commit to a long-term vaccination strategy at this time. MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will take into account expert advice, the latest evidence and will update our recommendations on the basis of those, as needed.

Mr Speaker: Dr Lim Wee Kiak.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang): Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. I would just like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether, in his opinion, there is vaccination fatigue now, whether the vaccination rate is dropping partly because people are feeling it is much safer now and also for fear of the side-effects of vaccination. If so, what is MOH's strategy to deal with this vaccination fatigue and whether there is a long-term plan, like what the Senior Minister of State just mentioned?

Dr Janil Puthucheary: Sir, I thank Dr Lim for his very important question. The core of the strategy is educating the public, engaging them on their fears and concerns and explaining to them the importance of vaccination and not just for COVID-19 but for many other diseases. Vaccination works and it is an important part of how we defend ourselves against infectious diseases. We will continue to provide public health education materials, engage the public on their fears and concerns, and we hope that the Members of this House will help us in doing so.