Short-term pass holders who have been in the country for an extended time are now eligible for free COVID-19 vaccines under the national vaccination programme, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a statement on Wednesday (18 Aug).
However, they will not qualify for the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme.
The jabs are made available to short-term work pass holders and those with special passes such as the training employment pass, training work permits, and work holiday pass.
Also, short-term visit pass holders who have been in Singapore for at least 60 days continuously will also be able to get the inoculations. MOH said that many of them are unable to return due to global travel restrictions.
“Although their stay in Singapore is temporary, vaccinating this group would further strengthen the resilience of our society against COVID-19,” the Ministry added.
All age-eligible short-term work pass and special pass holders can walk into any vaccination centres without a prior appointment to get their first dose. They will need to bring along identifying documents such as their passports and their work or special pass for verification.
However, they will not be able to walk into polyclinics or participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs), and they will not receive notifications from MOH.
As for eligible short-term visit pass holders, they will not be able to walk into any vaccination site without appointments.
Instead, those with valid phone numbers registered with the Government will receive an SMS from MOH which will be sent out progressively in the coming days. The message will include a personalised booking link where individuals can book their appointments.
Short-term visit pass holders who do not receive a link from the MOH by 22 August can request for an appointment via MOH’s website by submitting supporting immigration documentation.
MOH said that it will receive requests on a case-by-case basis over the next few weeks.
All eligible short-term pass holder groups will be able to view their vaccination status on the TraceTogether app starting late September 2021, the Ministry added.
“As more of our population get vaccinated and the local situation remains under control, we can stay on track to further re-opening and progress as a nation towards COVID resilience,” said MOH.
As of Tuesday (16 Aug), 76 per cent of Singapore’s population are fully vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, while 82 per cent have received at least one dose.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Singapore Press Holdings’ (SPH) radio station Kiss92 FM on Monday (16 Aug), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the daily vaccination rate has slowed to around 40,000 jabs a day. This is down from a peak of about 80,000 jabs a day.
Mr Ong noted that the vast majority of seniors in Singapore now have at least partial protection with about 85 per cent of seniors aged 70 and above have received at least one dose of the vaccine, adding that the rate is higher at 90 per cent for those aged 60 to 69.
“That’s a good thing, but we are also plateauing,” said the Minister, as he urged unvaccinated people to get their shot.
“I think we might well be the most vaccinated country in the world,” he then remarked.
