Over S$1b to secure enough vaccines by Q3 2021; all citizens, long-term residents to get free vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines will be free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents who are currently here under a S$1 billion vaccine strategy that will provide enough vaccines for everyone in the country by the third quarter of 2021, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday.

The first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved by the Health Sciences Authority, is expected to arrive by the end of this month, making Singapore one of the first countries to obtain this vaccine, Mr Lee told Singaporeans in a televised live broadcast.

He added that other vaccines are also expected to arrive in the coming months.

While vaccinations will be made voluntary, Mr Lee said he strongly encourages Singaporeans to get vaccinated when it is offered to them.

"Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. You are also doing your part to protect others, especially your loved ones," he said.

"The more of us are vaccinated, the harder it will be for the virus to spread, and the safer we will all be as a society."

Noting that more than S$1 billion has been set aside to secure access to vaccines, Mr Lee said the government started talking to pharmaceutical companies early to understand the science and identify promising candidates.

"We placed multiple bets, to sign advance purchase agreements and make early down-payments for the most promising candidates, including with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sinovac," he said.

At the same time, arrangements were made with pharmaceutical companies to facilitate their clinical trials and drug development in Singapore and attract a few to establish vaccine manufacturing capabilities here.

Meanwhile, the government also supported local efforts to develop a vaccine, Mr Lee said, which gave Singapore's scientists and researchers the opportunity to do "cutting edge work", while serving as an "insurance" in case the global supply chain was disrupted.

"This way, we built up a diversified portfolio of options, to ensure that Singapore would be near the front of the queue for vaccines, and not last in line," he said.

The prime minister commended government agencies and public officers for the "whole-of-government" effort and for being the "unsung heroes" that have helped Singapore to get through this crisis.

The Ministry of Health's expert committee on Covid-19 vaccination has proposed that the entire adult population should be vaccinated but to make vaccinations voluntary, he said.

The first priority will be given to those who are at greatest risk - healthcare workers, frontline personnel, the elderly and vulnerable, according to the committee's recommendations.

The rest of the population can then be vaccinated progressively, covering everyone who wants a vaccination by the end of next year.

"The government has accepted these recommendations. I have personal confidence in our experts. My Cabinet colleagues and I, including the older ones, will be getting ourselves vaccinated early," Mr Lee said.

"This is to show you, especially seniors like me, that we believe the vaccines are safe."

He also said vaccines will support Singapore's recovery in more ways than one. As a global aviation hub, Singapore plays a crucial role transporting vaccines around the world.

"We are now gearing ourselves up to handle large volumes of vaccine shipments into Singapore and through Singapore, to help win the global fight against Covid-19," Mr Lee said.

This is possible because of Singapore's strong ecosystem for cargo handling, he said. Leading global logistics companies like DHL, UPS and FedEx are based here, while Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport's ground-handling partners are certified by the International Air Transport Association to handle and transport pharmaceutical supplies.

However, Singapore did not get here overnight, Mr Lee said, adding that the country has always planned ahead and systematically created opportunities for itself.

He said: "It took us years of investment and planning, building a business-friendly climate and expanding our air links around the world. These long-term investments are now paying dividends."

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