Singapore (VNA) – Singapore’s Ministry of Healthon August 18 announced that the country will give free COVID-19 vaccines to short-termpass holders who have been in Singapore for an extended period of time underthe national vaccination programme.

Those eligible are short-term work pass and special passholders, such as those on training employment passes, training work permits andwork holiday passes.

The vaccine is also extended to short-term visit passholders who have been in Singapore for at least 60 days continuously, many ofwhom were unable to return home because of global travel restrictions amid thepandemic.

The ministry said in a statement on August 18 that while their stay inSingapore is temporary, vaccinating this group will strengthen the nation'sresilience against the coronavirus.

Many people from this group who frequently interact with thepublic would have had to undergo regular testing if they were unvaccinated, itsaid.

All eligible short-term work pass and special pass holderscan walk into any vaccination centre, except for polyclinics and participatingpublic health preparedness clinics, to receive their first jab without a priorappointment. Short-term visit pass holders will have to make an appointmentfirst before proceeding to a vaccination site. Those eligible who have validphone numbers registered with the Government will be contacted by the ministryto book an appointment.

While COVID-19 vaccinations are free for eligible short-term pass holders, theministry said they will not qualify for the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance programme. Theywill have to pay the prevailing rate for any medical bills they incur aftertheir vaccination.

The ministry added that as of the end of August 16, 76 percentof the population had been fully vaccinated./.