On 21 June 2021, I filed a Parliamentary Question for the Minister for Education, to ask whether schools will grant students at least one week of excuse from strenuous physical activity in school after each dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. I also asked whether schools will carry out active monitoring of students’ condition post-vaccination to detect symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis, which are inflammations of the heart muscles.
In his answer on 6 July, the Minister said schools will excuse students from physical activity for one week after receiving their Covid-19 vaccination, whether it is for the first or second dose, and that PE and CCA teachers will check in with students before the start of physical activities.
I note that the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccinations also updated its advice on 5 July that people should avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity for a week after any dose of the jab. They had previously advised this only after the second dose. This comes after the news of a 16-year old boy in Singapore who suffered a heart attack six days after receiving his first dose of the vaccination, which is still under investigation to understand the underlying cause.
Here is the full Parliamentary question and the Minister’s answer on 6 July 2021:
SCHOOLS TO GRANT STUDENTS EXCUSE FROM STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AFTER EACH DOSE OF COVID-19 VACCINE AND CARRY OUT ACTIVE MONITORING OF STUDENTS’ CONDITION POST-VACCINATION
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Education (a) whether schools will grant students at least one week of excuse from strenuous physical activity in school after each dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; and (b) whether active monitoring of students’ condition post-vaccination will be carried out to detect symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: Schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) will excuse students from physical activity for one week after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination, whether it is for the first or second dose. All PE and CCA teachers will check in with students before the start of these activities. We have also advised all parents and students to be mindful of any potential side effects from the vaccination. In particular, if they were to develop chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heartbeats, students should seek medical attention promptly.
MOH and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) have also been closely monitoring recipients of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. On 12 June 2021, MOH issued a circular to all registered medical practitioners to ask them to be vigilant in detecting inflammatory conditions affecting the heart muscles and outer lining of the heart respectively, when assessing patients who have been recently vaccinated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Medical practitioners are also urged to report all serious adverse reactions, including myocarditis and pericarditis, to HSA as soon as possible, so that swift regulatory actions can be taken where necessary.
MOE will continue to work with MOH and HSA to closely monitor students who have experienced adverse reactions after the vaccination to ensure that suitable and appropriate care is given to these students. We will review and update our guidelines if needed, to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
Photo by Jonathan Chng on Unsplash.
