MINISTER FOR HEALTH MR ONG YE KUNG’S INTERVENTION, AT THE G20 HEALTH MINISTERS’ MEETING IN GANDHINAGAR, INDIA ON SATURDAY, 19 AUGUST 2023

    Thank you, Chair. I would like to make a couple of points.

2. First, our discussion so far has revolved around the equitable distribution of medical countermeasures, including vaccines. But the pressing issue is actually not the supply, but the demand. Yet I think all around the world, COVID-19 vaccine take-up has been declining. People think COVID is endemic and is no longer a threat.

3. But studies in Singapore show that the COVID-19 strains have not become milder. It is just that vaccines and safe recovery from infection have made us stronger. Our studies also show that for those who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated but later got infected, their protection is waning over time and there will likely come a time when we will start experiencing and witnessing new waves of casualties and new waves of infection.

4. So I urge the governments of G20 to please continue to put out data and studies to strengthen the case to continue vaccination. There is no shortage of supply now, and we have to keep up vaccination.

5. The second point is that there is a regional approach to vaccine and medical countermeasures production. I wish it success, but I am under no illusion that there are challenges beyond intellectual property. There has to be significant manufacturing capability and capacity to be utilised in peacetime, and we need to recognise security in supply carries a premium. My suggestion is not to lose sight of the global effort, even if we seek a regional solution.

6. We need to work with pharmaceutical companies, and global research and development efforts must continue. We need to identify and build up manufacturing centres around the world with the manpower skills and knowhow. All these are important and will be Singapore's contribution.

7. Thank you.