SINGAPORE - The Republic's fake news law was invoked after unsubstantiated claims about adverse reactions to Covid-19 vaccines were posted on Facebook and published online by a website. In a statement on Thursday (April 15), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said the Health Minister had instructed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) Office to issue the correction directions. They were directed at the Facebook pages of Goh Meng Seng People's Power Party and Goh Meng Seng (Satu Singapura), as well as at the Singapore Uncensored website. Posts published on April 2 on the Facebook pages of Goh Meng Seng People's Power Party and Goh Meng Seng (Satu Singapura) implied that the Covid-19 vaccination had caused or substantially contributed to a doctor in Singapore suffering a stroke. The same Facebook accounts also published posts on April 7 implying that Covid-19 vaccination had caused or substantially contributed to the death of an 81-year-old man here. MOH said that same day Singapore Uncensored published an article on its website stating that an 81-year-old man had died from alleged vaccination complications. The article was also shared on the website's Facebook page on April 7. "These allegations are false. As of April 14 April, there is no credible evidence for an increased risk of heart attack or stroke with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines which are currently approved and offered in Singapore," said MOH. It added that the medical team caring for the doctor has assessed that the doctor's current condition is highly unlikely to be related to the Covid-19 vaccination, and Mount Elizabeth Hospital had issued a clarification on April 4. As for the 81-year-old man, MOH said the cause of death was ischaemic heart disease, which refers to the lack of blood circulation to the heart muscles. "The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) Forensic Medicine Division has reported that based on the post-mortem, there was no evidence of acute anaphylaxis or an allergic reaction at the injection site of the Covid-19 vaccine. "There was extensive narrowing of the three main blood vessels supplying blood to the muscles of the heart due to atherosclerosis (build up of plaques over time in the blood vessels that obstruct blood flow)," said MOH. Under Singapore's fake news law, parties who have received correction directions will be required to carry a correction notice alongside their posts. MOH said it is aware of falsehoods circulating that the Covid-19 vaccination has clear and causal links with stroke and heart attack. "There are also third parties who have exploited the sharing of personal experiences by individuals, by reposting these personal accounts and making unsubstantiated claims about vaccine related adverse reactions. "They often continue to do so despite the original posts being removed or made private," it added. More on this topic Related Story Pofma invoked against website that claimed cover-up on coronavirus case numbers Related Story Coronavirus: Govt invokes fake news law against false claims by States Times Review MOH shared that Covid-19 vaccines that are used in Singapore have been assessed to be safe and efficacious by both the HSA and the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination. "Medical teams are well-equipped and measures are in place at all vaccination sites to ensure the safety of vaccine recipients pre-, during, and post-vaccination. "All vaccine related incidents are taken seriously and healthcare professionals are required to report these incidents expediently to the MOH and HSA," the ministry said. MOH advises members of the public not to speculate or spread unfounded rumours and to visit this website for latest information on Covid-19 and its vaccinations. For facts of the cases, people should refer to the Factually article "Corrections and Clarifications Regarding Falsehoods on Covid-19 Vaccination" at this website. More on this topic Related Story VacciNationSG campaign launched to raise awareness of Covid-19 vaccine Related Story 1 in 4 S'pore residents surveyed believe false claim that Covid-19 vaccine alters DNA
SINGAPORE - More than 155,000 people have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as at Sunday (Jan 31), said Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary on Monday. In response to questions from several MPs, he added that there is currently no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine contributes to an increased risk of death among the elderly. "Thus, we continue to offer Covid-19 vaccination for seniors," Dr Janil told the House. "It is important to vaccinate and protect seniors, as Covid-19 infection in the elderly has been observed to result in severe, or fatal illness." A total of 12 MPs filed questions on the roll-out of Singapore's nationwide vaccination programme. Some, including Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) and Mr Desmond Choo (Tampines GRC), asked for updates on its progress. Others, such as Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Mr Dennis Tan (Hougang), asked about the side effects of the vaccine, especially among seniors. More vaccination centres will be set up in places with a large population and/or along public transport routes, Dr Janil said. Each of these centres is planned to have an estimated capacity of 2,000 vaccinations daily, on average. Polyclinics and certain public health preparedness clinics will also serve as vaccination sites, with all polyclinics in Singapore to start offering Covid-19 vaccinations from Monday. There are also mobile vaccination teams for seniors with mobility issues, he added. On the topic of vaccine safety for seniors, Dr Janil said that the Health Ministry, Health Sciences Authority and Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination have been monitoring international reports on the issue. The Norwegian health authorities and the World Health Organisation's Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety have found no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine contributes to an increased risk of death in the elderly, he noted. "Nevertheless, the ministry has reiterated to vaccination providers that doctors should review the medical history of seniors carefully to confirm that they are indeed suitable for vaccination, and that they should be monitored closely in the immediate period after a vaccination." More on this topic Related Story Vaccines cannot currently be given to Singaporeans who wish to travel overseas, due to limited supplies: Janil Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? What you need to know Related Stories: Related Story Anaphylaxis and other Covid-19 vaccine side effects: Should I be worried? Related Story Taiwan reports first Covid-19 death in 8 months, from local cluster Related Story CDC orders sweeping US transportation mask mandate as Covid-19 rages Related Story WHO team visits China propaganda exhibit, Wuhan hospital that took in first Covid-19 patients Related Story Why tweaking the Covid-19 vaccines won't be simple Related Story Malaysians' non-compliance with rules is pushing up Covid-19 cases Related Story China deploys anal swabs to test for Covid-19 Related Story 'Solidarity is failing': EU and UK fight over scarce vaccines Related Story Icelanders get Covid-19 vaccine 'passports' Related Story Panic buying, circuit breaker and reopening: A timeline of S'pore's Covid-19 fight
SINGAPORE - With no known next of kin, and suffering from cognitive impairment, 73-year-old Madam Tan (not her real name) poses a quandary for her carers. She suffers from dementia, previously had a stroke and lacks the mental capacity to make her own decisions, Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home @ Hougang told The Straits Times. So when the Covid-19 vaccine is made available to the nursing home, who decides whether she should receive it? Mrs Jenny Bong, acting head of MWS Bethany Nursing Home, said the nursing home has been looking into this issue since it was announced that vaccination would be made available to the elderly. Six nursing homes in Singapore started vaccinating their residents in late January. In response to queries from ST, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said registered medical practitioners may make the assessment on whether to vaccinate individuals incapable of making decisions on their own, and have no known next of kin nor deputies. This is in accordance with the Singapore Medical Council's Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines, and practitioners should act in the best interests of the individual. Mr Ardi S Hardjoe, chief executive of Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home, said an advisory from the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) in early January said the nursing home doctor can authorise vaccination according to his best judgment of the patient's best interests for such vulnerable individuals. "We would proceed according to our doctor's assessment," added Mr Ardi. A person may lose his ability to decide on matters owing to disability, mental illness or brain diseases such as Alzheimer's. Under the Mental Capacity Act, the person deciding for a mentally incapacitated patient such as Madam Tan should, among other things, consider the patient's past and present wishes and feelings, and beliefs and values. Mr Chandra Mohan Rethnam, a partner at Rajah and Tann, said: "You have to consider things such as the person's age, the fact that he is living in a communal facility, and if he can protect himself by wearing a mask or wash hands regularly. "If the individual can't do these things to protect himself, then perhaps a vaccination is clearly in his best interest." Law Professor Kumaralingam Amirthalingam of the National University of Singapore added that in their assessments, doctors should balance the vulnerable person's risk of contracting Covid-19 against vaccine side effects if the person is already health-compromised. He said another aspect that should be considered is whether the patient has co-morbidities, which refer to two or more medical conditions in a patient. Certain co-morbidities like obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease put patients at risk of severe Covid-19 and even death. More on this topic Related Story Singapore rolls out Covid-19 vaccine for seniors: How to get your jab Related Story askST: Why you need to get your Covid-19 vaccine shots Prof Kumaralingam said: "If these individuals have co-morbidities, and it is in their best interest to be vaccinated, they should be vaccinated." "For nursing homes and doctors, the safest thing to do is to seek a court declaration authorising their act (to decide for these vulnerable patients)," he said. But if they are unable to do so, they can proceed, acting in the patient's best interest. In a joint reply, Dr Sumytra Menon and Assistant Professor Voo Teck Chuan from the National University of Singapore's Centre for Biomedical Ethics, said legal advice should be sought if healthcare professionals cannot agree on whether vaccination would be in a patient's best interests. Mr Chandra also stressed that healthcare professionals should take all practical steps to help the individual make the decision himself. If that is not possible, then the healthcare professional can decide. Prof Voo added: "Even though a person lacks capacity because they are unable to weigh the risks and benefits - which may happen in the case of an intellectually disabled person or a person with a mental disorder - they may likely be able to understand what is happening. "So it would be respectful for healthcare professionals to explain about the vaccination before carrying it out." In an ST Forum letter last Monday, Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, who is a member of the expert committee on Covid-19 vaccination, said the vaccine is generally safe for those with medical conditions. These conditions include kidney disease, chronic HIV, and cancer in remission. But those with untreated cancer, or are undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy should defer vaccination, she added. So, how can vulnerable individuals with no kin be protected if they are unsuitable to take the jab? Infectious diseases expert Ooi Eng Eong from the Duke-NUS Medical School said these individuals can be protected if their caregivers such as doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, get vaccinated. But Prof Kumaralingam noted that those who are vaccinated may still spread the disease. It is still unclear if the vaccines can curb the spread of Sars-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes the Covid-19 disease. More on this topic Related Story Covid-19 vaccine: Why some groups, including those with severe allergies, should wait Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? What you need to know Prof Ooi added: "Even if the vaccine only prevents Covid-19 but does not fully prevent Sars-CoV-2 infection, the likelihood of transmission would be greatly reduced compared with someone with symptomatic illness. "Vaccination of caregivers could thus reduce the risk of infection among those who are unable to provide informed consent." Prof Ooi said although Covid-19 vaccination is voluntary, if local outbreaks return, MOH has the legal authority to make vaccination compulsory. He said: "Such enforced vaccination, however, is unnecessary at this time and may never be needed if the rate of voluntary vaccination in Singapore reaches desired targets." As at last Wednesday (Jan 27), more than 113,000 people - largely healthcare workers and front-liners - have been vaccinated here since the drive started last month. Related Stories: Related Story Anaphylaxis and other Covid-19 vaccine side effects: Should I be worried? 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SINGAPORE - Seniors in Ang Mo Kio began receiving Covid-19 jabs at the Ang Mo Kio polyclinic on Wednesday (Jan 27), under a pilot scheme that will eventually be expanded to seniors in other precincts. With appointment letters in hand, they began streaming into the polyclinic from as early as before 9am. This includes retiree Ang Beng Giap, 73, who received the Covid-19 vaccine at around 9.30am. "I wanted to get the jab so that my family members won't have to worry about me getting the virus," he said. The process of booking an appointment was a smooth one, he said. "I received a letter on Monday and went down to the community centre the next day to book a slot. It wasn't much trouble at all," said Mr Ang, who used to run his own business. Seniors in Ang Mo Kio as well as Tanjong Pagar have been invited to get vaccinated under the scheme, and between 5,000 and 10,000 in each of the two towns will receive letters inviting them to book appointments to do so, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said last week. This number may increase or be reduced, depending on the response. The two pilots will help the Ministry of Health (MOH) iron out operational processes before it proceeds to scale up the programme nationwide, with vaccinations to be progressively extended to all seniors from mid-February. Vaccines will also be offered to seniors in community vaccination centres at Tanjong Pagar Community Club (CC), as well as Teck Ghee CC in Ang Mo Kio. Each of the 24 towns here will have one community vaccination centre by end-March. Each community vaccination centre will be able to give 2,000 vaccinations per day, from 8am to 10pm, but that can be adjusted based on the number of booths set up. Volunteers from the People's Association and Silver Generation Ambassadors will conduct house visits and tap existing grassroots events to answer queries and help seniors book appointments, if necessary. Appointment bookings can be made either online or at selected community centres near them. Information sheets will be issued to seniors, who can call the MOH hotline if they need further assistance. More on this topic Related Story Singapore rolls out Covid-19 vaccine for seniors: How to get your jab The MOH said last week that more than 60,000 people have received their first dose of the vaccine since the vaccination drive started. Singapore plans to have enough vaccines for all citizens and long-term residents by the third quarter of this year. More on this topic Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? What you need to know Related Story First two community vaccination centres cater to elderly, with larger booths for wheelchairs Related Stories: Related Story Every town to get Covid-19 vaccination centre by end-March Related Story Covid-19 cases surge to 1m in Indonesia, stressing hospitals Related Story Malaysia's worsening Covid-19 situation exposes serious economic, political fault lines Related Story Panic buying, circuit breaker and reopening: A timeline of S'pore's Covid-19 fight Related Story Rich and poor Covid-19 vaccine divide worsening, warns WHO Related Story Will the world fail to prepare for the next pandemic? Related Story More than 150 National Guard troops in Washington for inauguration test positive for coronavirus Related Story Dutch buy delivery uniforms, borrow dogs to dodge coronavirus curfew Related Story Foreigners without face masks punished with push-ups in Bali Related Story Chinese city rushes to build massive Covid-19 quarantine centre
SINGAPORE - Two community vaccination centres began operations on Wednesday (Jan 27), in the latest phase of Singapore's Covid-19 vaccination drive. The two venues, at Teck Ghee Community Club in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar Community Club, will cater to elderly residents aged 70 and above, and can give jabs to 2,000 residents daily. This is how the process works: Step 1: Booking your appointment Elderly residents who require help in booking their appointments can head to the community clubs where volunteers will help them with the process. You must bring along your NRIC. Step 2: Vaccination day Volunteers waiting to receive the Covid-19 vaccine during a trial run at the vaccination centre at Tanjong Pagar Community Club on Jan 26, 2021. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Head to the venue with your vaccination card and NRIC. After answering a few questions about your medical history, you will be directed to a waiting area. Step 3: At the vaccination booth A medical professional will administer the vaccine. Roll up your sleeve, and after an alcohol swab is rubbed on your arm, you will be given the injection. Step 4: 30-minute observation period You will then proceed to wait in an observation area for 30 minutes to see whether any negative reaction occurs. Some soreness in the arm is to be expected, but if you get a rash or a headache, or experience dizziness, you will be taken to a nursing station to be treated by a doctor. It takes two jabs for the Covid-19 vaccine to be fully effective. PHOTO: ST FILE More on this topic Related Story S'pore starts Covid-19 jabs for seniors, with AMK, Tanjong Pagar residents receiving shots Step 5: Remember the second jab At the final counter, you will be asked further questions about how you are feeling. If all is well, you will be allocated a second appointment, which will take place around three weeks later. It takes two jabs for the vaccine to be fully effective. More on this topic Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? What you need to know Related Story Interactive: Tracking the Covid-19 vaccine race Related Stories: Related Story Every town to get Covid-19 vaccination centre by end-March Related Story Covid-19 cases surge to 1m in Indonesia, stressing hospitals Related Story Malaysia's worsening Covid-19 situation exposes serious economic, political fault lines Related Story Panic buying, circuit breaker and reopening: A timeline of S'pore's Covid-19 fight Related Story Rich and poor Covid-19 vaccine divide worsening, warns WHO Related Story Will the world fail to prepare for the next pandemic? Related Story More than 150 National Guard troops in Washington for inauguration test positive for coronavirus Related Story Dutch buy delivery uniforms, borrow dogs to dodge coronavirus curfew Related Story Foreigners without face masks punished with push-ups in Bali Related Story Chinese city rushes to build massive Covid-19 quarantine centre
SINGAPORE - Singapore is preparing to take its vaccination programme into high gear as the pandemic continues to rage around the world, with plans for new centres and roving teams that could potentially deliver over 70,000 shots daily across the island. The Ministry of Health (MOH) wants to appoint a vendor to set up 36 Covid-19 vaccination centres from February, according to tender documents seen by The Straits Times. These centres should be able to cater to at least 2,000 people a day. The vendor will also set up 10 mobile teams to provide mass vaccinations for sites such as nursing homes. The centres and the teams will be set up progressively and the number required is subject to change. Vaccination sites could include vacant schools, community clubs and sports halls. The assigned vaccination centres will operate for up to 12 months. With the nation aiming to complete all vaccinations this year (2021), appointed vendors will also have to make sure that vaccines are stored and handled properly, and that supply is sufficient. This includes ensuring strict compliance with the cold chain management of the Covid-19 vaccines, which must be transported in a temperature-controlled environment every step of the way. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, for one thing, has to be stored at minus 70 deg C. It is the only one approved here to date. Vendors must also coordinate the delivery of vaccines to ensure that there are sufficient stocks, on top of making sure that there are enough emergency supplies and equipment on standby in case of adverse allergic reactions. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines can be kept at normal refrigeration temperature for just five days, once they have been taken out of frozen storage. The mobile vaccination teams will comprise a medical doctor, four nurses and three administration staff, and will operate from 8am to 6pm daily. The doctor must be prepared to respond to medical emergencies. The vaccination centres should operate from 8am to 10pm daily, and only the National Appointment System should be used for appointments and the updating of vaccination records. MOH said in its tender that the appointed vendor will form part of its panel of Covid-19 vaccination resources, and that other vendors or in-house resources may be sought to administer vaccines where appropriate. More on this topic Related Story Covid-19 vaccination centre at Changi T4 can inoculate 4,000 a day Related Story Additional Covid-19 measures may be needed as community cases inch up: Lawrence Wong The new tender comes as vaccinations are well under way in Singapore, with thousands of shots given at healthcare institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes, among other locations. They will also be given at polyclinics and general practitioner clinics, and Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said on Monday that he had visited staff at Punggol Polyclinic, who walked him through the process of administering Covid-19 vaccinations. Barring any unforeseen disruptions to shipments, MOH said it is making provisions for all Singaporeans and long-term residents to be able to get vaccinated by the third quarter of this year. More than 6,200 people here have received their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and this figure is expected to rise substantially in the coming weeks, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19, said last week. Some 37,000 front-line workers in the aviation and maritime sectors will be vaccinated within two months, starting from this week. Two vaccination centres at Changi Airport Terminal 4 and Raffles City Convention Centre are already operational, while two more centres at the former Hong Kah Secondary School and Woodlands Galaxy Community Club will be ready to start operations this week. Preparations at the former grounds of Hong Kah Secondary School, which will used as a vaccination centre. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG MOH had said that more centres across the island are being planned and will be rolled out in tandem with the arrival of the vaccine shipments. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine requires two injections, given 21 days apart. Singapore is expecting more vaccine deliveries in the next few months, including from American biotechnology firm Moderna and China's Sinovac. The Sinovac vaccine has yet to be approved, while the Moderna vaccine, which has a similar efficacy rate as Pfizer's, is under review. The tender closes on Thursday (Jan 21). More on this topic Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? 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SINGAPORE - The move to get people in Singapore vaccinated for Covid-19 has received reassurances from OCBC Bank and insurance company Great Eastern, which separately announced programmes to support those receiving the shots. Great Eastern announced a $1 million vaccine fund for its customers last Friday (Jan 15). Those who get the shots will receive a daily hospital benefit of $300 for up to seven days, if they are hospitalised because of the vaccine within three months from the day of the first dose. Meanwhile, OCBC Bank said on Monday that its staff in Singapore will have their medical consultation fees reimbursed if they develop side effects from the vaccine. In addition, bank employees will get a day off on the day they receive the jab. Employees will also be allowed to work from home for one week after vaccination. They will receive private taxi reimbursement to and from the vaccination clinics and an additional two days of medical leave without the need to provide a medical certificate in the event of side effects. Similar initiatives will be rolled out for employees in the bank's core markets such as Malaysia and China when the vaccine is available in those countries, said OCBC in a statement. The bank added that it will educate its 10,000 workers in Singapore about the Covid-19 vaccine. This began last Friday with a webinar featuring Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease specialist from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. Registration was fully subscribed within half a day, prompting the bank to double the number of places to 1,000 employees. The most common questions asked - whether those with pre-existing medical conditions could take the vaccine; potential side effects it might have; what to avoid after vaccination; and if it was safe to take more than one set of vaccines from different manufacturers. More webinars with medical experts are in the pipeline, said the bank. These will explain the side effects of the vaccine and its impact on safe distancing measures. They will also answer any concerns to allow employees to make a informed decision on whether to be vaccinated. Mr Jason Ho, OCBC Bank's head of group human resources, said: "While the decision for taking a Covid-19 vaccination is very personal, we want to help our employees come to a decision based on sound medical advice." The bank's Covid-19 Vaccination Support Programme is an extension of its Covid-19 Care Package launched last March to look after its employees and family during the global pandemic. More on this topic Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? What you need to know Related Story Coronavirus microsite: Get latest updates, videos and graphics Related Stories: Related Story All travellers to S'pore need to take Covid-19 PCR test on arrival from Jan 25 Related Story 2 new Covid-19 community cases linked to police para-vet to form new cluster Related Story Norway warns of Covid-19 vaccination risks for sick patients over 80 Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? What you need to know Related Story Britain orders all arrivals to quarantine, provide negative tests as Covid-19 deaths rise Related Story WHO stops short of advising proof of Covid-19 vaccine shots for travel Related Story WHO-led team in China will start meetings online from quarantine Related Story Missionary school emerging as new Covid-19 hotbed in South Korea Related Story Thailand offers its lush golf courses as quarantine centres to woo tourists Related Story 3 in 4 Covid-19 patients suffer from at least one symptom six months after infection: Study Related Story Philippines extends travel ban to prevent spread of more contagious coronavirus variant
When the Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out from next year for most residents, interior design firm Design 4 Space plans to dangle a trip to Japan to encourage its staff to get the shots. Although the vaccination programme here is voluntary, the company's chief executive Richard Yea is encouraging his more than 70 employees to get vaccinated. "In this trade, we have to meet home owners frequently. If our staff are vaccinated, home owners will feel more comfortable engaging and interacting with us," he said, adding that company trips overseas were previously reserved only for the top performers. Medical experts, human resource practitioners and business associations The Straits Times approached said employers in Singapore are unlikely to mandate Covid-19 vaccination for their workforce. But many will strongly encourage their staff to get the jabs. For some companies, this means offering incentives. These can include giving staff time off as well as support for flexible work arrangements, said Mr Ang Yuit, vice-president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises. But he added: "Most companies will unlikely be too forceful over having their staff receive vaccination unless there are some specific operational reasons internally." Singapore Business Federation chief executive Ho Meng Kit agreed, adding that the company management can lead by example and be the first to take the shots. The first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine arrived in Singapore on Dec 21, the first step in vaccinating the population. The planned vaccination programme is voluntary and free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents here, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had made clear on Dec 14. Medical experts said there is no need for employers to push their staff to get the shots. "At the moment, case numbers in Singapore are very low so there isn't a pressing need to make vaccination compulsory," said Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases expert at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. More on this topic Related Story Healthcare workers to receive Covid-19 vaccine from Dec 30, S’pore residents aged 70 and older from Feb ’21: MOH Related Story More S'poreans may have to be vaccinated as more contagious Covid-19 strains detected: Public health school dean Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, said the risk of infection is "extremely low in public". "It will be unfair to force individuals to trade a low risk of infection with uncertainty about the long-term side effects of Covid-19 vaccines that are yet to be fully understood," he added. However, he said employees should still vaccinate since the risk of doing so is low. "Vaccination is putting up defences against the virus. It's not just the Government's role, but everyone plays a part. "It's only as strong as the participation from everyone... It allows us to be safe individually and the country to have herd immunity, and the country to open up economically," added Dr Leong. More on this topic Related Story Around 1 in 4 Singapore residents surveyed believe false claim that Covid-19 vaccine alters DNA Related Story Covid-19 vaccine: Why some groups, including those with severe allergies, should wait Singapore entered phase three of its reopening yesterday, with plans to loosen some restrictions on workers returning to offices. Mr Calvin Lim, general manager of CDPL (Tuas) Dormitory, said the company will follow the Government's directive on vaccinations and let staff make their own decisions. "But given that our jobs should be defined as front-liners, we are likely to get the vaccination regardless," he said. The firm has around 30 staff. PeopleWorldwide Consulting managing director David Leong said employees have the right to raise concerns about possible risks if they have colleagues who choose not to be vaccinated. But firms should not forbid those who do not receive the shots from entering the office. "Technically, the risk of exposure is low when safe distancing practices are observed. It's no different from today's reality," he said. Mr David Calkins, regional managing principal of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East at global architecture firm Gensler, believes that the majority of the 54 staff at the firm's Singapore office are open to getting vaccinated. "We suspect that we won't have to provide much encouragement to those of us who are in client-facing roles and those who are hoping to be going on business travel in the future to take the vaccination," he said. "But even as the vaccine becomes more widely available around the globe, we are anticipating continuing a flexible work mode for much of next year," he added. More on this topic Related Story Fast and Furious. Can we trust the speedy development of Covid-19 vaccines? Related Story 8 key questions on Singapore's planned vaccine roll-out
SINGAPORE - A global accreditation framework for Covid-19 "vaccination passports" to allow for international travel is something that several health authorities, including Singapore's, are looking at. However, this will require a lot more study, given how new the coronavirus is. Questions that need further discussion include the nature of the vaccine, how long immunity would last and if this will apply to recovered individuals. Currently, the only vaccination certificate applicable for global travel is for yellow fever. The vaccination provides lifelong immunity. This topic of vaccination passports were among the slew of issues discussed at a webinar on Wednesday (Oct 21), titled Covid-19 In Asia Pacific - Border Control Policy And The Path To Reopening. Organised by the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, the webinar convened a panel of seven speakers from around the region. They included Swiss Ambassador to Singapore Fabrice Filliez and World Health Organisation South-east Asia regional adviser Manisha Shridhar, as well as representatives from New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health dean Teo Yik Ying was the moderator. A key topic of discussion was how strictly a country should control its borders and how the impact of imported cases on healthcare resources could be managed. To this, the panellists said there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Currently, many countries, including Singapore, adopt quarantine measures - the safest and most effective way to detect imported cases. However, given the economic fallout from the strict control of borders globally, countries have sought to take a calibrated approach to ease restrictions. Risk assessments need to be taken, and the panel touched on the topic of whether there would be a risk assessment framework to guide countries, regions and the world. Such a framework would provide a very transparent way of decision making, with clear indicators of when a country can lift border control measures and the extent of relaxation of safety restrictions. More on this topic Related Story Covid-19 vaccination in Singapore likely to be rolled out from 2021 Related Story Getting vaccinated against diseases such as influenza especially important amid Covid-19 pandemic, say doctors Key measures that will form the cornerstone during easing of border control measures include testing: pre-departure testing, testing on arrival, as well as repeated testing. The panellists said decisions will also have to be made on what kind of tests need to be done, whether it is using the gold standard polymerase chain reaction test, or if countries could tap more advanced technologies, such as breath-analysing tests and rapid antigen tests. In Singapore, a breathalyser-type diagnostic test kit for Covid-19 that provides results in under a minute is being developed. Now at its prototype stage, it has so far achieved an accuracy rate of more than 90 per cent during a pilot clinical trial involving 180 patients at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Antigen rapid tests are also being piloted in Singapore, where participants in certain mass events have to obtain a negative result before they can enter. Results of these tests are out within 30 minutes and tests can be conducted at the event venue, or at an off-site testing facility. More on this topic Related Story How the world lost one million lives to Covid-19 Related Story Coronavirus microsite: Get latest updates, videos and graphics However, it is critical to note that none of these regimes are foolproof, and safe management measures as well as good contact tracing systems will remain critical in preventing infected cases who have entered the country from spreading the virus within the community, the panellists said. Robust public health strategies will also boost people's confidence when travelling, the panel noted. Related Stories: Related Story Task force spells out steps for S'pore to get to phase 3 by end-2020 Related Story TraceTogether check-ins to be compulsory at malls, restaurants by December Related Story Covid-19 vaccination in S'pore likely to be rolled out from 2021 Related Story 6 new Covid-19 cases in S'pore, with 4 imported Related Story S'pore travellers can tap govt subsidies, insurance for Covid-19 treatment Related Story Participants to take rapid Covid-19 tests before some mass events in Singapore Related Story Global coronavirus cases surpass the 40 million milestone Related Story S'pore, HK agree to set up air travel bubble for leisure travel without quarantine Related Story Australia in travel talks with Singapore, Japan, Korea as coronavirus cases ease Related Story Interactive: How the world lost one million lives to Covid-19 Related Story 'Lockdown Lite' is the new strategy for fighting Covid-19