More Covid-19 vaccination centres in S’pore closing in next few weeks; experts say move is timely

SINGAPORE – Ten vaccination centres have closed and extra might be closing within the subsequent few weeks.

Checks by The Straits Times present that 30 vaccination centres are at the moment working, down from 40 in June final yr.

Last Wednesday (March 16), the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Early Childhood Development Agency urged the general public to go to centres which have remained open.

The authorities mentioned: “We invite individuals, parents and guardians to take full advantage of the capacity and good geographical spread of our vaccination centres before more are closed down in the coming weeks.”

These closures come because the Republic’s inoculation price continues to extend.

Ninety-five per cent of the eligible inhabitants has accomplished the complete vaccination routine and 71 per cent of the whole inhabitants has obtained a booster shot.

Experts informed ST that the closure of vaccination centres is an indication that Singapore could also be nearer to the top of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Professor Dale Fisher, senior infectious ailments advisor at National University Hospital, mentioned: “Vaccination centres had been established due to the necessity to undertake the mass vaccination train effectively and rapidly.

“That mission is somewhat accomplished and the need for future vaccinations can likely be met by the usual permanent health service infrastructure in Singapore.”

Associate Professor Alex Cook, vice-dean of analysis on the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, agreed {that a} smaller variety of centres, or maybe major care suppliers, may serve this goal at this late stage of the vaccine roll-out.

Prof Cook mentioned: “I’m sure there will be fourth shots at some point in the future, but it remains unclear whether all of us will need to get those or just those at high risk; if the latter, it may again be that the primary care sector could be the main facilitator of this.”

Healthcare suppliers famous that the general public coming ahead are these taking their booster dose or recovered Covid-19 sufferers due for his or her jabs.

Healthway Medical, which runs 4 vaccination centres, mentioned that with nearly all of the inhabitants vaccinated, the variety of sufferers requiring vaccination ought to lower with time.

A Raffles Medical spokesman mentioned: “At the 11 vaccination centres that Raffles Medical operates, we have seen a general decrease in the number of people coming for their Covid-19 vaccination compared with the beginning of this year.”

When ST visited 4 vaccination centres on Monday (March 21), some folks ready for his or her jabs additionally felt the upcoming closures are well timed.

Retired banker Harry Tan, 65, who was at Bishan Community Club for his booster dose, mentioned: “There are many empty seats when you visit a vaccination centre now. Some vaccination centres used to be badminton courts – it would be good to have those sports facilities again.”

Ms Sheeren Ong, 45, who was additionally at Bishan Community Club for her booster, steered: “Staff (from the closed centres) can be redeployed to Covid-19 treatment facilities to help those with more severe symptoms.”

Prof Fisher mentioned vaccination centres might be re-established ought to the necessity arises.

“Everything that gets ‘undone’ as we step down pandemic measures needs to be reversible if, for instance, Covid-19 mutates or a new pandemic virus or severe flu appears. This is what Covid-19 resilient means,” he added.