SINGAPORE - Seniors in Ang Mo Kio began receiving Covid-19 jabs at the Ang Mo Kio polyclinic on Wednesday (Jan 27), under a pilot scheme that will eventually be expanded to seniors in other precincts. With appointment letters in hand, they began streaming into the polyclinic from as early as before 9am. This includes retiree Ang Beng Giap, 73, who received the Covid-19 vaccine at around 9.30am. "I wanted to get the jab so that my family members won't have to worry about me getting the virus," he said. The process of booking an appointment was a smooth one, he said. "I received a letter on Monday and went down to the community centre the next day to book a slot. It wasn't much trouble at all," said Mr Ang, who used to run his own business. Seniors in Ang Mo Kio as well as Tanjong Pagar have been invited to get vaccinated under the scheme, and between 5,000 and 10,000 in each of the two towns will receive letters inviting them to book appointments to do so, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said last week. This number may increase or be reduced, depending on the response. The two pilots will help the Ministry of Health (MOH) iron out operational processes before it proceeds to scale up th...

SINGAPORE - Two community vaccination centres began operations on Wednesday (Jan 27), in the latest phase of Singapore's Covid-19 vaccination drive. The two venues, at Teck Ghee Community Club in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar Community Club, will cater to elderly residents aged 70 and above, and can give jabs to 2,000 residents daily. This is how the process works: Step 1: Booking your appointment Elderly residents who require help in booking their appointments can head to the community clubs where volunteers will help them with the process. You must bring along your NRIC. Step 2: Vaccination day Volunteers waiting to receive the Covid-19 vaccine during a trial run at the vaccination centre at Tanjong Pagar Community Club on Jan 26, 2021. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Head to the venue with your vaccination card and NRIC. After answering a few questions about your medical history, you will be directed to a waiting area. Step 3: At the vaccination booth A medical professional will administer the vaccine. Roll up your sleeve, and after an alcohol swab is rubbed on your arm, you will be given the injection. Step 4: 30-minute observation period You will then proceed to wait in an observation area...

SINGAPORE - A mass exercise to vaccinate 37,000 front-line workers in the aviation and maritime sectors began on Monday (Jan 18) and is set to be completed within two months. About 13,000 workers have registered to get their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine this week, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung told reporters during a visit to the vaccination centre at Changi Airport Terminal 4. The vaccinations are a very important step towards reviving Singapore's air hub, which has been decimated by the pandemic, he said. If a substantial number of workers in the aviation and maritime sectors is vaccinated, "whoever comes through will know that it is safe, (that) our people are cohesive and we work as a team". "This is a huge advantage in terms of our brand name," he stressed. Singapore Airlines can be the first vaccinated international airline of the world, Mr Ong said. Inoculating front-line workers will also protect Singapore, he added, noting that while the situation here is largely under control, the virus is "raging like wildfire" abroad. "All our 37,000 front-liners, they're defenders of our borders because the borders are a key vulnerability," he said. The authorities have set asid...