Long queues have been seen at private clinics offering the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, with one clinic reporting 3,000 bookings for the 400 doses they have in stock. From news reports, many in queue want to take the China-made vaccine to facilitate travel to the Mainland, because of fears of mRNA vaccine technology or patriotism to their home country.
At the next Parliament sitting, I will be asking the Minister for Health if individuals who have allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines (but not the Sinovac vaccine) can be prioritised for registration for Sinovac over those who choose it out of personal preference. I also asked if these individuals can be allowed to receive their vaccinations at community centres and polyclinics, so as to make it more convenient for them. Finally, I asked if these individuals could be eligible for government-sponsored financial assistance should they develop adverse reactions to the Sinovac vaccine.
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Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether individuals who have contraindications for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines but not the Sinovac vaccine can be given priority to receive the Sinovac vaccine over those who choose it out of personal preference; and (b) whether the Sinovac vaccine can be made part of the national vaccination programme for this group of individuals so that they can receive their vaccinations at vaccination centres and polyclinics and will be eligible for the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme should they develop any adverse reactions.
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