Update on Progress of COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Protocols in Place for Recovering Patients
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the national COVID-19 vaccination booster programme, recovery protocols, and healthcare worker recognition as raised by Ms Ng Ling Ling, Mr Yip Hon Weng, and Mr Xie Yao Quan. The Members of Parliament inquired about booster eligibility for seniors, Sinovac vaccine uptake, and the inclusion of Sinovac or Sinopharm recipients under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme. Further queries addressed the communication of home recovery protocols to non-internet savvy individuals and the Ministry's plans to recognize healthcare workers for their pandemic management efforts. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung responded that these specific questions had already been addressed by oral replies to Question Nos 1 to 20 on the Order Paper for 4 October 2021. His response indicates that the requested policy details were consolidated into the Ministry's oral explanations provided during that earlier parliamentary session.
Transcript
32 Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Health with regard to the rollout of the national COVID-19 vaccine booster programme (a) what is the number of individuals who are eligible for the vaccine booster; and (b) whether there is an estimated timeframe for the completion of the booster shots for those aged above 60 years.
33 Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Health to date, what is the number of individuals who have taken their Sinovac vaccine in public hospitals through the dedicated public health programme.
34 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) how is the Ministry addressing the confusion and lack of follow-up from authorities for COVID-19 home recovery patients; (b) when a COVID-19 patient is to be admitted to a community care facility or hospital, how soon will they be notified and picked up; and (c) what is the Ministry doing to ensure clear communication of COVID-19 recovery protocols to all individuals including those who are illiterate or not internet savvy.
35 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health in light of the approvals for various vaccines (a) whether persons who opt for the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine will be given the option to take the COVID-19 booster jab under the Government's vaccination programme; (b) how many more vaccines are now under consideration for inclusion into the national programme to be covered by the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP); and (c) whether those who have taken the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine will be included under VIFAP.
36 Mr Xie Yao Quan asked the Minister for Health what are the Ministry’s plans to recognise healthcare workers for another challenging year of managing COVID-19.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: These questions for written answer have been addressed by oral reply to Question Nos 1 to 20 on the Order Paper for 4 October 2021.