Enabling Low-income Seniors Access to Shingles Vaccines

Debated in Parliament on 22 Nov 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Murali Pillai highlighted that over 90% of Singaporeans aged 50+ carry the dormant varicella-zoster virus, with up to one in three potentially developing shingles, and asked how low-income seniors can access costly shingles vaccines.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health is assessing the vaccine's clinical and cost-effectiveness for potential inclusion in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, which would allow subsidies and MediSave usage if approved.
The debate focused on ensuring affordable vaccine access for vulnerable seniors, with the government considering policy changes to address financial barriers.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Murali Pillai

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Health having regard to the fact that more than 90% of Singaporeans of and above the age of 50 carry dormant varicella-zoster virus and a study in the US suggesting that up to one in three adults can experience the reactivation of the virus in the form of shingles, whether the Government will study ways to enable seniors from low-income backgrounds to have access to shingles vaccines which are currently viewed as expensive.

Ong Ye Kung

The Ministry of Health is currently evaluating the shingles vaccine's clinical and cost-effectiveness, with a view to decide if it should be included in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS). If yes, it will be eligible for subsidies and MediSave usage.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Murali Pillai highlighted that over 90% of Singaporeans aged 50+ carry the dormant varicella-zoster virus, with up to one in three potentially developing shingles, and asked how low-income seniors can access costly shingles vaccines.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health is assessing the vaccine's clinical and cost-effectiveness for potential inclusion in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, which would allow subsidies and MediSave usage if approved.
The debate focused on ensuring affordable vaccine access for vulnerable seniors, with the government considering policy changes to address financial barriers.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Enabling Low-income Seniors Access to Shingles Vaccines | PAPERCUTS

Enabling Low-income Seniors Access to Shingles Vaccines

Debated in Parliament on 22 Nov 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Murali Pillai highlighted that over 90% of Singaporeans aged 50+ carry the dormant varicella-zoster virus, with up to one in three potentially developing shingles, and asked how low-income seniors can access costly shingles vaccines.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health is assessing the vaccine's clinical and cost-effectiveness for potential inclusion in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, which would allow subsidies and MediSave usage if approved.
The debate focused on ensuring affordable vaccine access for vulnerable seniors, with the government considering policy changes to address financial barriers.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Murali Pillai

Ong Ye Kung

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Murali Pillai highlighted that over 90% of Singaporeans aged 50+ carry the dormant varicella-zoster virus, with up to one in three potentially developing shingles, and asked how low-income seniors can access costly shingles vaccines.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health is assessing the vaccine's clinical and cost-effectiveness for potential inclusion in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, which would allow subsidies and MediSave usage if approved.
The debate focused on ensuring affordable vaccine access for vulnerable seniors, with the government considering policy changes to address financial barriers.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Enabling Low-income Seniors Access to Shingles Vaccines

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Murali Pillai

Ong Ye Kung

Summary

Questions Identified

Enabling Low-income Seniors Access to Shingles Vaccines

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Murali Pillai

Ong Ye Kung

Summary

Questions Identified