TAKE-UP RATE FOR AND STEPS TO ENCOURAGE COVID-19 VACCINATION AMONGST HOMELESS AND ROUGH SLEEPERS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 801
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 2 NOVEMBER 2021

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Murali Pillai
MP for Bukit Batok

Question No. 2086

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what has been the COVID-19 vaccination take-up rate amongst those who are homeless and rough sleeping in Singapore; and (b) what steps are taken to engage and encourage these persons to be vaccinated and receive their booster shots.

Answer 

As of 30 September 2021, 90% of the rough sleepers and homeless accepted into MSF’s temporary shelters have been fully vaccinated. We are unable to monitor the vaccination rate of those still sleeping rough on the streets. MSF is collaborating closely with partners to conduct physical outreach (in alignment with allowed group sizes) to continue to encourage these individuals to be fully vaccinated and get their booster shots when eligible. The rough sleepers can also walk into our mRNA Vaccination Centres without appointments to receive their primary doses since 10 August 2021.