Singapore COVID-19’s vaccination exercise began on Wednesday, December 30, with the first batch of healthcare workers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).
More than 30 staff from across the NCID family were vaccinated on the first day. They included clinical, nursing, allied health, ancillary and administration staff.
The first healthcare worker vaccinated was Sarah Lim, 46, a senior staff nurse at NCID. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, she performed pre-screening, triage and carried out procedures such as blood-taking and ECG, and coordinated clinic operations at the Special Precaution Area at NCID’s Clinic J.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, Sarah carries out screening for suspect COVID-19 cases at Clinic J.
Other NCID staff vaccinated today included Dr Kalisvar Marimuthu, a 43-year-old senior consultant who manages suspect and confirmed COVID-19 cases, and Mohamed Firdaus Bin Mohamed Salleh, 38, a senior staff nurse who works in the ICU at NCID.
These NCID staff will return for the second dose of the vaccine 21 days later.
COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore is taking place in a progressive manner, said Ministry of Hleath (MOH). Priority to the vaccine is given to healthcare workers and workers at the frontline of national COVID-19 response, and persons who are vulnerable to severe disease and complications if they fall ill with COVID-19, including the elderly and persons with medical comorbidities.
If there are no unforeseen disruptions to vaccine shipments, all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore will be able to get vaccinated by end 2021.