Singapore begins COVID-19 vaccination campaign

ANKARA (AA) - Singapore on Wednesday started its coronavirus vaccination campaign, as health workers were the first inoculated with the vaccine jointly developed by BioNTech and Pfizer.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said that the campaign began with the first batch of more than 30 health care workers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

Sarah Lim, 46, a senior staff nurse at the center, was the the first Singaporean to be vaccinated.

According to the ministry, Sarah and other staff members will return for the second dose of the vaccine 21 days later.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong termed the beginning of the vaccination program as a new chapter in their fight against the pandemic.

"Today we began COVID-19 vaccinations, with 30+ healthcare workers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. It marks a new chapter in our fight against the pandemic," Prime Minister said in a Facebook post.

Singapore become the first country in Asia to start COVID-19 vaccination.

"In the coming weeks, the vaccine will be rolled out to more healthcare institutions. We will begin vaccinating the elderly from February. Thereafter we will do other Singaporeans and long-term residents who are eligible for vaccination," Lee said.

He added that vaccine is “key to living in a COVID-19 world, but it will still be some time before this storm will pass.”

In the first phase, according to the Health Ministry, healthcare workers and workers at the frontline of national COVID-19 response, and persons who are vulnerable to severe disease and complications will be vaccinated.​​​​​​​

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid