SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has received about 6,900 appeals from Singapore residents who wish to receive early COVID-19 vaccination.
Most of the appeals cited travelling overseas for work, study and other purposes, said MOH on Monday (Mar 22) in response to CNA’s queries.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe ministry had announced last week that while its focus is to vaccinate the elderly and other priority groups, it will consider allowing Singapore citizens and permanent residents with “very exceptional circumstances” to receive their vaccination earlier as more vaccine supplies arrive.
These include people who have an “urgent need” to travel overseas to take up or complete a formal education or vocational programme, or to be based overseas for work, and where remote learning or working is not an option.
[h=3]READ: 7 new COVID-19 vaccination centres to be set up, some offering Moderna shots[/h]Those who wish to travel overseas to visit or care for an immediate family member who is critically ill, or to seek “medically necessary treatment that cannot be reasonably received in Singapore”, will also be considered for early vaccination.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMOH said on Monday that it will evaluate the requests “based on the reason and urgency for the appeals”.
“We would like to seek Singaporeans’ patience and understanding that we will have to prioritise those who need vaccination more urgently, such as those travelling in the next two months in the first instance,” it added.
[h=3]READ: HSA starts review of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine[/h]MOH previously said that people who plan to appeal for early vaccination should cater for the time needed to complete the full course. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines currently being administered in Singapore require two doses three to four weeks apart.
AdvertisementThe vaccines will be “fully effective” a further two weeks after the second dose, the ministry added.
People should aim to complete their appeal application about eight weeks in advance, and those successful will be notified via email.
[h=3]BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments[/h]Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
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