Review of Publicity Efforts to Encourage Uptake of Routine Vaccinations for Adults

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2535
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 6 FEBRUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms He Ting Ru
MP for Sengkang GRC

Question No. 5581

To ask the Minister for Health what is the assessed impact of publicity and outreach efforts to encourage increased uptake in routine vaccinations for adults, in particular for the seasonal flu vaccinations; and (b) whether further subsidies or free vaccinations will be considered for a wider group of people in order to boost uptake rates.

Answer

1      To promote vaccinations under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been conducting public education campaigns, sending targeted SMS messages to recommended groups, and enhancing subsidies for vaccinations. Under Healthier SG, vaccinations under NAIS are now made free to enrolled residents.

2      In recent months, we have seen a significant increase in vaccination take-up rates. From January to November 2023, more than 277,000 flu vaccinations were administered to persons aged 65 years and above, 150% and 50% higher than the numbers in the preceding two years.

3      MOH will continue to monitor uptake rates and review our vaccination policy where necessary.