Financial Assistance for Singaporeans Suffering from Psoriasis as Side Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination

NOTICE PAPER NO.1493
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 7 NOVEMBER 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong
MP for Hougang

Question No. 3706

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry can consider extending the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme for COVID-19 Vaccination or other forms of financial assistance to Singaporeans who have suffered from psoriasis as a related side effect of COVID-19 vaccination, notwithstanding that it might not have resulted in any inpatient hospitalisation or any permanent severe disability.

Written Answer

Eligibility for the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP) is determined by an independent clinical panel, who will consider: (i) whether the side effect is likely to be caused by vaccination (or other factors such as underlying health conditions); and (ii) the severity of the side effect caused by the vaccination.

A serious side effect is typically considered one that minimally required hospitalisation. Cases that were not hospitalised but require long-term follow-up including that of skin conditions are also reviewed for assistance on a case-by-case basis.