SINGAPORE: Individuals who have valid reasons to travel out of Singapore cannot jump the queue to get inoculated early against COVID-19, as vaccine supplies are limited at this time, mentioned Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary on Monday.
He was speaking in Parliament in answer to questions filed by Members of Parliament regarding vaccination.
“At this point when vaccine supplies are limited, we do have to prioritize our healthcare and frontline workers and seniors, for vaccination,” mentioned Dr. Puthucheary.
“We’re therefore unable to provide vaccines presently to Singaporeans outside of these groups and seek their understanding.”
He mentioned that this option can be considered when there is greater certainty in Singapore’s vaccine supply.
Given the present, short-term limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines globally, there is a have to prioritize the vaccinations, he mentioned.
Singapore has begun vaccination for healthcare and COVID-19 frontline staff. Vaccination has also begun for essential staff, such as those in security services, and aviation and maritime staff, who have a higher risk of exposure to infected people in the course of their work.
Seniors have also been prioritized as they’re at higher threat of severe or fatal illness if infected.
Dr. Puthucheary reiterated that Singapore has signed advance purchase agreements with Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Sinovac, and added that it’s in discussions with “a few different pharmaceutical companies”.
Due to commercial sensitivities and confidentiality undertakings in its advance buy agreements, Singapore has not disclosed the number of vaccines ordered, their cost, or the delivery schedules.
“Whereas there shall be some delays to the shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines due to the upgrading of Pfizer’s manufacturing plant, we’ll continue to monitor our supplies closely to meet our goal of vaccinating all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore by the tip of 2021,” he mentioned.
