Encouraging More Adults and Elderly to Go for Vaccinations

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Health (a) what plans does the Ministry have to encourage more adults and the elderly to go for vaccinations in view of local immunisation rates being below 20% for adults and below 10% for those aged 50 to 69; and (b) whether the Ministry can consider allowing Singaporean adults to use MediSave to pay for all types of vaccinations instead of limiting the use of MediSave to the current few types of vaccinations.

An Expert Committee on Immunisation advises the Ministry of Health (MOH) on vaccination. The Committee comprises specialists from public and private healthcare institutions in infectious diseases, microbiology, paediatrics and public health.

For adults, the Expert Committee has recommended a targeted approach of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in specific high-risk groups. They include seniors aged 65 years and above, and persons with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and heart diseases. These patients can use their MediSave to pay for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.

There is room to improve the vaccination rates in these high-risk groups. To achieve this outcome, MOH needs to work together with healthcare professionals and the public to raise awareness and encourage patients in these high-risk groups to go for the recommended vaccinations.