Debated in Parliament on 2 Aug 2021.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Education (a) to date, what are the COVID-19 vaccination rates for students aged 12 to 18; and (b) whether students will be given priority timings on vaccinations to ensure minimal disruptions to their school schedules.
Based on actual vaccination rates to date and appointment bookings, by end-July, over 90% of eligible students aged between 12 to 18 in MOE schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) would have received at least their first vaccination dose. Over 70% of these students would have received both doses. This figure is expected to reach 80% by early-August and about 90% by early-September.
To take full advantage of the June holidays, students were prioritised and invited to sign up for their vaccination from 1 June 2021. Students sitting for the GCE "N", "O" and "A" Level examinations or equivalent qualifications in the second- half of 2021 were the first to receive their invitations to be vaccinated. This gave graduating students greater flexibility to schedule their vaccination appointments in view of their upcoming national examinations. By end-July, over 80% of the graduating GCE "N", "O" and "A" Level cohorts would have received both doses.
Students in schools and IHLs whose vaccination appointments are during school hours, as well as those feeling unwell from the side effects of the vaccine, are given time off and assistance to minimise the impact of missed lessons. In addition, there is currently ample capacity in our community Vaccination Centres to allow for students to readily change their appointments to minimise disruptions to their school schedules.
PAPERCUTS