Vaccinations and Quarantine Requirements for COVID-19 Pandemic
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the recognition of foreign vaccinations, re-vaccination eligibility, the assessment of alternative vaccine brands, and potential adjustments to quarantine requirements and flight suspensions due to new COVID-19 variants. Miss Cheng Li Hui, Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin, Mr Don Wee, and Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song specifically inquired about home quarantine for vaccinated returnees and medical debarment from second doses following mild allergic reactions. Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that these matters would be addressed collectively in the Ministerial Statement scheduled for 11 May 2021.
Transcript
19 Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the COVID-19 vaccination status of a foreigner who had been previously vaccinated in their home country with a vaccine that is not approved by HSA will be recognised by Singapore; (b) whether such a foreigner will be required to take another COVID-19 vaccination if he/she is in Singapore for the long-term; and (c) whether the foreigner will be eligible for re-vaccination in Singapore on their own accord.
20 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider relaxing the requirement for returning Singaporeans and permanent residents to serve their quarantine in dedicated facilities if they have been vaccinated and tested negative for COVID-19 upon their arrival and for such Singaporeans and permanent residents to serve their quarantine at home instead.
21 Mr Don Wee asked the Minister for Health in view of the surging number of COVID-19 infections in certain countries and the emergence of more contagious and lethal variants, whether the Ministry will consider (i) a temporary suspension of flights from high risk areas to Singapore and (ii) increasing the duration of quarantine for all arrivals.
22 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health whether patients who experience mild allergic reactions but no anaphylaxis following the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine will be permanently debarred from taking their second dose.
23 Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Government is assessing the use of other vaccines other than Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna; and (b) whether there are any local vaccines under consideration for approval and use.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The questions will be addressed via the Ministerial Statement on 11 May 2021.