Vaccination-differentiated measures to be lifted from Oct 10: MOH

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Friday (Oct 7) that vaccination-differentiated safe-management measures (VDS) will be lifted from Oct 10.

This means nightlife establishments where patrons can dance, dining-in at food and beverage establishments, including hawker centres, as well as events with more than 500 participants at any one time, will be accessible to those who are not fully vaccinated.

They are currently not allowed to be in such settings.

But the government might institute “an appropriate level of VDS” if the situation warrants it, to protect medical workers and the public.

Also, the government will stop counting the number of shots and boosters locals receive; it will instead determine if a person is up-to-date with their vaccination to adhere to the latest vaccination recommendations - similar to periodic Influenza vaccination.

And in its bid to make sure locals have primary protection against the coronavirus, the government will roll out primary vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years, booster vaccination for those aged 5 years and above, and bivalent vaccines as boosters for those aged 50 and older, or persons yet to achieve minimum protection.