hope u keep the forum running long enough to let the post age!
-
IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Serious Lawrence Wrong tells u guys to get used to it
- Thread starter Scrooball (clone)
- Start date
hope u keep the forum running long enough to let the post age!
I'll do my best but no guarantees of course.
may u live long and prosper
Hear hear.
after this
but no politician in SG will dare to call it a normal flu. It’s career ending.
so the only way is to CB the citizens until everyone‘s had enough and cry for freedom.
THEN they will slowly call it a normal flu.
LW is a smart cookie.
The next variation of the virus to be released must be more lethal than the current one that honestly kills at the rate the normal flu does. My guess the next designed virus will kill 5% of people infected.
yes the Indians are fascinated with your conspiracy theory crap
Of course they did. Surely they wouldn’t dismiss you as just another asshole on the Internet.
You were so totally correct back then! Uncanny.
Wrong. Again. Lets see that is 0 for 275 tries, all failed
All wrong, stupid opinions that have no basis in fact
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01018-7/fulltext
COVID-19 vaccine impact in Israel and a way out of the pandemic
Published:May 05, 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01018-7
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In December, 2020, Israel initiated a national campaign to vaccinate its population with Pfizer–BioNTech's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 (tozinameran). Israel's Ministry of Health recommended a two-dose schedule with a 21-day interval between doses. Israel delivered more than 10 million doses within 4 months; by April 19, 2021, 54% of the entire population of 9·1 million people, and 88% of people aged 50 years or older, had received two doses.
1
Factors contributing to Israel's rapid roll-out include its small geographical and population sizes; advanced information technology that allowed prioritisation, allocation, and documentation of vaccines for eligible individuals; effective cooperation between government and community-based health funds, which were charged with providing vaccines to those they insured; and experience in rapid large-scale emergency responses.
2
Vaccines were rolled out around the time of Israel's third and largest wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections, with a peak 7-day moving average of 8328 new infections per day, which resulted in a 2-month national lockdown. Thus, Israel's setting provided a robust platform on which to examine vaccine effectiveness and the impact of high vaccine coverage in real-life conditions at a national level. From March, 2021, onwards, Israel reported a rapid decline in COVID-19 cases across all age groups, despite the easing of lockdown restrictions and reopening of education and commerce. By April 19, 2021, the 7-day moving average of new cases dropped to 149 per day, indicating effective control of the pandemic within the country's borders.
1
,
3
The marked reduction in new cases prompted the Israeli Government to ease nationwide restrictions, including the discontinuation of face covering use in open spaces.
• View related content for this article
In The Lancet, Eric Haas and colleagues report on a nationwide observational study of the impact and vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 in Israel.
3
Israel's Ministry of Health used aggregated data from the national SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and vaccination programme dataset to compare infection and disease incidence between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Overall, of 232 268 SARS-CoV-2 infections during the study period (Jan 24 to April 3, 2021), 154 648 (66·6%) occurred in people aged 16 years or older and were included in the analyses (of which 20·4% were in the Arab sector, 15·7% in the ultra-Orthodox sector, and 63·9% in the general Jewish [non-ultra-Orthodox] sector). Adjusted estimates of vaccine effectiveness at 7 days or longer after the second dose were 95·3% (95% CI 94·9–95·7) against SARS-CoV-2 infection, 91·5% (90·7–92·2) against asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, 97·0% (96·7–97·2) against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, 97·2% (96·8–97·5) against COVID-19-related hospitalisation, 97·5% (97·1–97·8) against severe or critical COVID-19-related hospitalisation, and 96·7% (96·0–97·3) against COVID-19-related death. Vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalisation, and COVID-19-related death exceeded 96% across all age groups, including older adults (aged ≥75 years and ≥85 years). These results closely mirror the efficacy estimates of the BNT162b2 vaccine reported in the phase 3 trial.
4
The strengths of the study include its nationwide design, mandatory routine reporting of new infections and of vaccination status to the national dataset, large sample size, exclusive use of BNT162b2, and occurrence of a highly efficient vaccine roll-out during peak transmission of SARS-CoV-2, which resulted in high vaccination coverage of most of the adult population. However, several limitations should be considered when interpreting the results. First, social desirability bias affecting symptom questionnaire respondents and presymptomatic infections at the time of questioning could have contributed to an overestimation of vaccine effectiveness against asymptomatic infection. Additionally, patients with COVID-19 who reported symptoms were defined as asymptomatic if they did not report fever or respiratory symptoms. This unorthodox case definition might have resulted in a substantial overestimation of vaccine effectiveness against asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
5
Second, during early 2021, the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 was estimated to account for 95% of cases in Israel, and the results thus indicate that the vaccine was effective against this variant of concern. However, the study did not report on effectiveness against other variants of concern, such as B.1.351 and P.1. Concerns regarding breakthrough infections were recently raised as a case-cohort study from Israel reported a disproportionally high infection rate with the B.1.351 variant in fully vaccinated compared with unvaccinated individuals.
6
Nevertheless, the incidence of B.1.351 infection in Israel to date remains low. Rapid mass vaccination coupled with non-pharmaceutical interventions
7
might have successfully controlled its spread.
Haas and colleagues' findings from Israel suggest that high vaccine coverage rates could offer a way out of the pandemic.
5
,
8
Regrettably, rapid population level coverage cannot be easily replicated in many other countries. The global use of the BNT162b2 vaccine is limited by supply issues, high costs, and ultra-cold chain storage requirements. Global COVID-19 vaccine roll-out has been sluggish, and vaccine distribution is inequitable despite the achievements of COVAX, mainly due to the lack of adequate manufacturing scalability.
9
,
10
Rapid expansion of deployment of other effective vaccines with more achievable cold chain storage requirements remains an urgent global priority.
9
Facing such challenges, alternative approaches must be considered to allow rapid protection of at-risk populations against severe COVID-19. One such approach is deferring the second dose to accelerate and maximise coverage of the first dose in the population. Indeed, the situation in Scotland looks promising: the first dose of BNT162b2 was associated with a vaccine effectiveness of 91% (85–94) for COVID-19-related hospitalisation at 28–34 days post-vaccination.
11
Israel's robust dataset could allow further assessment and corroboration of first-dose short-term effectiveness and lead other countries to considering deferring the second vaccine dose.
3
Post-introduction vaccine effectiveness studies such as those from Israel
3
and the UK
5
,
11
will gain increasing importance in augmenting the current evidence, which has so far been based only on data from phase 3 efficacy trials. WHO has published a best practice guidance document on how to conduct vaccine effectiveness assessments using observational study designs.
12
Israel's experience provides impetus for countries to proactively pursue high vaccine coverage to protect the population;
8
however, rollout would need to follow the WHO prioritisation roadmap to maximise the public health impact, in light of vaccine supply constraints. More post-introduction vaccine effectiveness studies will be required. Timely reporting of vaccine effectiveness against variants of concern, the duration of protection across age groups and geographical settings, and the effectiveness of alternative dosing regimens is crucial to provide data-driven immunisation policies.
12
Copyright © 2021 Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images
EL reports personal fees from Sanofi Pasteur for participation in a global advisory board of influenza vaccination, outside the area of work commented on here. AW-S serves as a consultant to WHO's Immunization and Vaccination Department. The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this Comment, and they do not necessarily represent the decisions or policies of WHO.
References
I was wrong again??? I don't think so.
Israel faces Covid surge as virus circulates even among vaccinated
Delta variant blamed after clusters identified around schools, with health ministry calling for inoculation of children as young as 12
By Campbell MacDiarmid, Middle East Correspondent 22 June 2021 • 4:07pm
Israeli teenagers are being vaccinated following Covid outbreaks in schools Credit: Reuters
Israel has recommended vaccinating teenagers following several coronavirus outbreaks clustered around schools, with even fully vaccinated people contracting the virus as authorities blame the more infectious delta variant.
The country reported 125 new cases in 24 hours on Tuesday, the highest one-day total since the end of April.
The latest outbreaks were identified in several schools following random testing and came after Israel removed nearly all of its coronavirus restrictions following a dramatic decrease in cases and a world-leading vaccination campaign that began in December.
Infections peaked in January with over 10,000 daily cases, falling to new daily cases in single digits this month.
In two schools, nine fully vaccinated teachers contracted the virus, local newspaper Haaretz reported.
Have to give credit when credit is due...ah wong is right..why does a while country need to shut down because of a flu? For the ppl that died.. death is part of life..deal w it..even ang mors praising singkieland stance bcos they themselves don't have the balls to do wat singkieland will do.
Country’s radical plan to ‘live with covid’
Singapore’s radical new plan to ‘live with covid’
Singapore has announced its plan to live with covid. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFPSource:AFP
Singapore never got to zero, now doesn't want to
Like most countries, Singapore had an initial peak of cases last year, topping out at 600 cases a day in mid-April. Following a smaller wave in August, Covid-19 hasn’t flared up since.
However, the nation of 5.7 million, slightly larger than Sydney, has had a steady undercurrent of around 20-30 cases every day. The nation has recorded 35 deaths in total.
Singapore has strict border controls in place with most countries including tests on arrival, hotel quarantine and stay at home orders.
It’s not dissimilar to Australia, but Singapore varies the demands on travellers depending on the risk in the location where they last visited.
But all that would be eventually done away with under the plan put out by ministers Kung, Yong and Wong who make up Singapore’s Covid-19 multi-ministry task force.
“Every year, many people catch the flu. The overwhelming majority recover without needing to be hospitalised, and with little or no medication. But a minority, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities, can get very ill, and some succumb.
“We can’t eradicate it, but we can turn the pandemic into something much less threatening, like influenza or chickenpox, and get on with our lives,” the trio said.
The plan could allow people to travel easily once more. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian ShawSource:News Corp Australia
Vaccination first, then reduce restrictions
Vaccination was key. The road map out of the current measures couldn’t begin until more people had been jabbed.
Singapore is set to have given two-thirds of its residents at least one jab within weeks and to have two thirds fully vaccinated by early August.
Singapore has recorded some fully vaccinated locals getting Covid-19, but none of them have had serious symptoms.
The ministers state it’s likely that would continue and booster shots may be necessary.
Testing would also have to be easier and quicker. Self-administered tests, such as breathalysers, should replace the uncomfortable ear bud down the back of the throat method.
A man wearing a protective face mask walks past the Rain Vortex display at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFPSource:AFP
Singapore’s ‘new covid normal’
The ministers said Covid-19 could be “tamed” if not vanquished.
They laid out what they called “a new normal”.
“In time, the airport, seaport, office buildings, malls, hospitals and educational institutions can use these kits to screen staff and visitors.”
People with covid would recover at home because symptoms will mostly be mild and close contacts would be vaccinated.
Because most cases will be less of an issue, the need for contact tracing and quarantining will be low.
A big change would be to no longer report daily case numbers.
“Instead of monitoring Covid-19 infection numbers every day, we will focus on the outcomes: how many fall very sick, how many in the intensive care unit, how many need to be intubated for oxygen, and so on.
“This is like how we now monitor influenza.”
Daily case numbers could be a thing of the past. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFPSource:AFP
The ministers wrote in the Straits Times that this would be a way for Singapore to navigate its way out of Covid-19, resume major events and travel internationally.
The road map is in contrast to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has not detailed how international travel might return.
“Once you let it in, you can’t get it out. If we take the other steps that others are suggesting, we have to be comfortable with 5000 cases a day. I don‘t think Australians would be happy.”
Although he did add that Australia was watching highly vaccinated countries closely.
“The key figure going forward will be how many people are suffering serious illness, and that’s what we are watching closely in the United Kingdom.”
The Singaporean ministers said the country was by no means at a stage where the post-covid plan could commence. For the time being, current restrictions would have to remain in place.
Indeed, the country has just toughened entry to people from New South Wales due to the current Sydney outbreak.
But “a road map to transit to a new normal” was coming together.
“History has shown that every pandemic will run its course”.
Country’s radical plan to ‘live with covid’
Singapore’s radical new plan to ‘live with covid’
Singapore has announced its plan to live with covid. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFPSource:AFP
Singapore never got to zero, now doesn't want to
Like most countries, Singapore had an initial peak of cases last year, topping out at 600 cases a day in mid-April. Following a smaller wave in August, Covid-19 hasn’t flared up since.
However, the nation of 5.7 million, slightly larger than Sydney, has had a steady undercurrent of around 20-30 cases every day. The nation has recorded 35 deaths in total.
Singapore has strict border controls in place with most countries including tests on arrival, hotel quarantine and stay at home orders.
It’s not dissimilar to Australia, but Singapore varies the demands on travellers depending on the risk in the location where they last visited.
But all that would be eventually done away with under the plan put out by ministers Kung, Yong and Wong who make up Singapore’s Covid-19 multi-ministry task force.
“Every year, many people catch the flu. The overwhelming majority recover without needing to be hospitalised, and with little or no medication. But a minority, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities, can get very ill, and some succumb.
“We can’t eradicate it, but we can turn the pandemic into something much less threatening, like influenza or chickenpox, and get on with our lives,” the trio said.
The plan could allow people to travel easily once more. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian ShawSource:News Corp Australia
Vaccination first, then reduce restrictions
Vaccination was key. The road map out of the current measures couldn’t begin until more people had been jabbed.
Singapore is set to have given two-thirds of its residents at least one jab within weeks and to have two thirds fully vaccinated by early August.
Singapore has recorded some fully vaccinated locals getting Covid-19, but none of them have had serious symptoms.
The ministers state it’s likely that would continue and booster shots may be necessary.
Testing would also have to be easier and quicker. Self-administered tests, such as breathalysers, should replace the uncomfortable ear bud down the back of the throat method.
A man wearing a protective face mask walks past the Rain Vortex display at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFPSource:AFP
Singapore’s ‘new covid normal’
The ministers said Covid-19 could be “tamed” if not vanquished.
They laid out what they called “a new normal”.
“In time, the airport, seaport, office buildings, malls, hospitals and educational institutions can use these kits to screen staff and visitors.”
People with covid would recover at home because symptoms will mostly be mild and close contacts would be vaccinated.
Because most cases will be less of an issue, the need for contact tracing and quarantining will be low.
A big change would be to no longer report daily case numbers.
“Instead of monitoring Covid-19 infection numbers every day, we will focus on the outcomes: how many fall very sick, how many in the intensive care unit, how many need to be intubated for oxygen, and so on.
“This is like how we now monitor influenza.”
Daily case numbers could be a thing of the past. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFPSource:AFP
The ministers wrote in the Straits Times that this would be a way for Singapore to navigate its way out of Covid-19, resume major events and travel internationally.
The road map is in contrast to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has not detailed how international travel might return.
“Once you let it in, you can’t get it out. If we take the other steps that others are suggesting, we have to be comfortable with 5000 cases a day. I don‘t think Australians would be happy.”
Although he did add that Australia was watching highly vaccinated countries closely.
“The key figure going forward will be how many people are suffering serious illness, and that’s what we are watching closely in the United Kingdom.”
The Singaporean ministers said the country was by no means at a stage where the post-covid plan could commence. For the time being, current restrictions would have to remain in place.
Indeed, the country has just toughened entry to people from New South Wales due to the current Sydney outbreak.
But “a road map to transit to a new normal” was coming together.
“History has shown that every pandemic will run its course”.
In simple English, sooner or later we are going to die, even without this virus, get used to it Sinkies. Mai KPKB
ang mors praising the pap with regards to the wuhan virus management
Posted Sun 4 Jul 2021 at 4:00amSunday 4 Jul 2021 at 4:00am, updated Sun 4 Jul 2021 at 7:52amSunday 4 Jul 2021 at 7:52am
Sinagpore's top officials say it will soon be possible for the city state to live with COVID-19. (
Reuters: Loriene Perera
)
Share
Catch up on the main COVID-19 news from July 8 with a look back at our blog
But with some nations racing ahead with their vaccination schemes, Australia isn't alone in considering a roadmap out of the pandemic.
Singapore, which like Australia has mostly followed a zero transmission model, is now planning an exit strategy that will involve "learning to live with COVID-19".
And while Australia is yet to announce firm dates for its pathway out of lockdowns, Singapore could get there much sooner.
But as the Government started to get a handle on the new outbreak, some within its ranks wondered if there was another way.
As Singapore races to vaccinate as many people as possible, it's contemplating a future that no longer includes lockdowns and restrictions. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
"The bad news is that COVID-19 may never go away. The good news is that it is possible to live normally with it in our midst," Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung wrote in the Strait Times.
The ministers suggested that like flu, the coronavirus will continue to mutate and "survive in the community". But just as we've learned to live with influenza without implementing lockdowns or closing our borders, we can also learn to live with COVID-19
"We can't eradicate it, but we can turn the pandemic into something much less threatening, like influenza, hand, foot and mouth disease, or chickenpox, and get on with our lives," they wrote.
The trio then laid out a plan on exactly how Singapore could achieve this goal.
A key reason they have been able to contemplate such a change is that they're racing ahead with vaccines.
Nearly two-thirds of Singaporeans have received one dose of the vaccine, with a goal for all eligible residents to be fully vaccinated by August 9. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
While other Asian nations have lagged behind in their roll-out — Thailand has vaccinated just 10 per cent of its population and South Korea has hit almost 30 per cent — nearly 60 per cent of Singapore's residents have received one dose of the vaccine, while 37 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Singapore's government aims to have two-thirds of residents fully inoculated by August 9, and will soon allow children over 12 to get the jab to ensure they hit their goal.
Vaccines don't prevent transmission of the virus, but they do reduce the severity of symptoms.
When the highly infectious Delta variant spread through Singapore's Changi Airport in May, 19 of the 28 terminal workers who contracted the virus were fully vaccinated.
However, many of them were totally asymptomatic and those who did have symptoms reported runny noses, coughs and mild fevers.
Those that do fall sick with COVID-19 will be allowed to recover at home, and citizens will be urged to practice "social responsibility" such as good hygiene and staying away from crowds when feeling unwell.
Officials say they expect overseas travel can resume once Singapore hits higher rates of vaccination. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
Tests will be more specifically targeted at the borders to identify those coming in with the virus and at mass gathering events within Singapore. More rapid testing will provide faster results when people are visiting their workplace, pharmacies or shopping centres.
Data from other countries with speedy vaccine drives that have also eased restrictions, such as Israel, UK and the US, will be monitored closely, experts say.
And there are even plans to stop counting the daily COVID-19 cases. Instead of monitoring daily infection numbers, authorities will focus on how many fall very sick and other health outcomes.
Australia, in comparison, is considering four phases as it transitions to managing COVID-19 as an infectious disease like any other in the community. But unlike Singapore, many of the details of what will change in the later stages are still being worked out.
Phase one will include trials of home-quarantine for vaccinated travellers, while phase two will ease restrictions including border controls for vaccinated Australians and use lockdowns only as a last resort.
That phase will depend on a yet-to-be-determined percentage of the population being vaccinated. Unlike Singapore's high vaccination rate, only 7.92 per cent of Australia's population is fully vaccinated.
The third phase, which sees Australia dealing with COVID-19 like it does the seasonal flu, more closely resembles Singapore's approach of no longer implementing lockdowns and gradually opening the borders. The final phase will be a return to pre-pandemic travel and life.
For Professor Yik-Ying Teo, the Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, living with COVID-19 is an "aspiration" that every country will eventually have to learn to do.
Having accepted that it's "not possible to eliminate the coronavirus completely," Professor Yik-Ying says it won't be sustainable for countries to keep their borders shut forever.
"And the moment countries lift their border control measures, this is where there will be regular imports of COVID-19 and that will circulate within the community," he told the ABC.
"So given that we are unable to sustain our public health measures or what we call non-pharmaceutical interventions, which include border controls, then we would have to look at what is the next most feasible approach."
Values shown are 14-day averages.
While masks will remain a common sight in Singaporean public spaces, people will soon be able to largely return to their normal lives. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
Professor Yik Yang agrees potential new variants continue to pose a risk, adding that one big factor going forward will be monitoring whether the current vaccines being used in Singapore remain effective in protecting the community against infections and hospitalisations.
For countries considering easing restrictions, Professor Yik-Yang adds that vaccinations, global surveillance and relying on science will be key.
"We are constantly monitoring the evidence coming out from Israel, from the UK, from the US, because these are places where the vaccination rates have been very high and we are able to learn about the vaccine and those variants," he said.
With a potential path set, Singapore is gearing up for a post-vaccine future.
"While we draw a roadmap, we must be prepared to adapt, to move forward but sometimes reverse if we need to, before we move forward again," Mr Gan said.
"But we are determined to see through this endgame."
s Australia contemplates its pandemic exit strategy, Singapore's roadmap to living with COVID-19 could offer insights
By Lucia Stein and Rebecca ArmitagePosted Sun 4 Jul 2021 at 4:00amSunday 4 Jul 2021 at 4:00am, updated Sun 4 Jul 2021 at 7:52amSunday 4 Jul 2021 at 7:52am
Sinagpore's top officials say it will soon be possible for the city state to live with COVID-19. (
Reuters: Loriene Perera
)
Share
Catch up on the main COVID-19 news from July 8 with a look back at our blog
But with some nations racing ahead with their vaccination schemes, Australia isn't alone in considering a roadmap out of the pandemic.
Singapore, which like Australia has mostly followed a zero transmission model, is now planning an exit strategy that will involve "learning to live with COVID-19".
And while Australia is yet to announce firm dates for its pathway out of lockdowns, Singapore could get there much sooner.
A bold shift: 'It is possible to live normally with COVID-19'
When Singapore experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases last month, it acted as it has before: Limiting households gatherings, continuing to encourage people to work from home and even announcing new plans to segregate flights and passengers from high-risk countries.But as the Government started to get a handle on the new outbreak, some within its ranks wondered if there was another way.
As Singapore races to vaccinate as many people as possible, it's contemplating a future that no longer includes lockdowns and restrictions. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
"The bad news is that COVID-19 may never go away. The good news is that it is possible to live normally with it in our midst," Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung wrote in the Strait Times.
The ministers suggested that like flu, the coronavirus will continue to mutate and "survive in the community". But just as we've learned to live with influenza without implementing lockdowns or closing our borders, we can also learn to live with COVID-19
"We can't eradicate it, but we can turn the pandemic into something much less threatening, like influenza, hand, foot and mouth disease, or chickenpox, and get on with our lives," they wrote.
The trio then laid out a plan on exactly how Singapore could achieve this goal.
Vaccinations are key to Singapore's strategy
Singapore's ministers have proposed one day scrapping lockdowns, home isolation and restrictions.A key reason they have been able to contemplate such a change is that they're racing ahead with vaccines.
Nearly two-thirds of Singaporeans have received one dose of the vaccine, with a goal for all eligible residents to be fully vaccinated by August 9. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
While other Asian nations have lagged behind in their roll-out — Thailand has vaccinated just 10 per cent of its population and South Korea has hit almost 30 per cent — nearly 60 per cent of Singapore's residents have received one dose of the vaccine, while 37 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Singapore's government aims to have two-thirds of residents fully inoculated by August 9, and will soon allow children over 12 to get the jab to ensure they hit their goal.
Vaccines don't prevent transmission of the virus, but they do reduce the severity of symptoms.
When the highly infectious Delta variant spread through Singapore's Changi Airport in May, 19 of the 28 terminal workers who contracted the virus were fully vaccinated.
However, many of them were totally asymptomatic and those who did have symptoms reported runny noses, coughs and mild fevers.
Read more about the vaccine rollout:
- The UK's preparing to administer booster shots of COVID vaccines. Australia is set to follow
- Australia's COVID-19 vaccination threshold the 'million-dollar question'
How Singapore's roadmap compares to Australia
Once the vaccination targets have been hit, the ministers' proposal still aims to keep the coronavirus contained with testing and surveillance, but with some key differences.Those that do fall sick with COVID-19 will be allowed to recover at home, and citizens will be urged to practice "social responsibility" such as good hygiene and staying away from crowds when feeling unwell.
Officials say they expect overseas travel can resume once Singapore hits higher rates of vaccination. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
Tests will be more specifically targeted at the borders to identify those coming in with the virus and at mass gathering events within Singapore. More rapid testing will provide faster results when people are visiting their workplace, pharmacies or shopping centres.
Data from other countries with speedy vaccine drives that have also eased restrictions, such as Israel, UK and the US, will be monitored closely, experts say.
And there are even plans to stop counting the daily COVID-19 cases. Instead of monitoring daily infection numbers, authorities will focus on how many fall very sick and other health outcomes.
Australia, in comparison, is considering four phases as it transitions to managing COVID-19 as an infectious disease like any other in the community. But unlike Singapore, many of the details of what will change in the later stages are still being worked out.
Phase one will include trials of home-quarantine for vaccinated travellers, while phase two will ease restrictions including border controls for vaccinated Australians and use lockdowns only as a last resort.
That phase will depend on a yet-to-be-determined percentage of the population being vaccinated. Unlike Singapore's high vaccination rate, only 7.92 per cent of Australia's population is fully vaccinated.
The third phase, which sees Australia dealing with COVID-19 like it does the seasonal flu, more closely resembles Singapore's approach of no longer implementing lockdowns and gradually opening the borders. The final phase will be a return to pre-pandemic travel and life.
For Professor Yik-Ying Teo, the Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, living with COVID-19 is an "aspiration" that every country will eventually have to learn to do.
Having accepted that it's "not possible to eliminate the coronavirus completely," Professor Yik-Ying says it won't be sustainable for countries to keep their borders shut forever.
"And the moment countries lift their border control measures, this is where there will be regular imports of COVID-19 and that will circulate within the community," he told the ABC.
"So given that we are unable to sustain our public health measures or what we call non-pharmaceutical interventions, which include border controls, then we would have to look at what is the next most feasible approach."
Values shown are 14-day averages.
Read more about the spread of COVID-19 in Australia:
- NSW should stay in lockdown until infectious community cases are down to zero, expert says
- How Sydney's lockdown has affected the spread of COVID
- How National Cabinet wants to ditch lockdowns and open borders as COVID vaccine rates rise
'Determined to see through this endgame'
Even as we contemplate a future where coronavirus is treated like the flu, the measles or chickenpox, health authorities say COVID-19 remains a "shape shifting enemy".While masks will remain a common sight in Singaporean public spaces, people will soon be able to largely return to their normal lives. (
Reuters: Edgar Su
)
Professor Yik Yang agrees potential new variants continue to pose a risk, adding that one big factor going forward will be monitoring whether the current vaccines being used in Singapore remain effective in protecting the community against infections and hospitalisations.
For countries considering easing restrictions, Professor Yik-Yang adds that vaccinations, global surveillance and relying on science will be key.
"We are constantly monitoring the evidence coming out from Israel, from the UK, from the US, because these are places where the vaccination rates have been very high and we are able to learn about the vaccine and those variants," he said.
With a potential path set, Singapore is gearing up for a post-vaccine future.
"While we draw a roadmap, we must be prepared to adapt, to move forward but sometimes reverse if we need to, before we move forward again," Mr Gan said.
"But we are determined to see through this endgame."
