MOH affirms vaccine effectiveness in preventing COVID-related deaths, urges public to rely on scientific evidence.
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Jun 3) strongly rejected the “egregious and false claims” made by the People’s Power Party, which called for a suspension of COVID-19 vaccinations. The opposition party had cited “studies and analyses by prominent medical experts” claiming that COVID-19 vaccines caused high incidences of severe side effects. The People’s Power Party also attempted to link high vaccination rates to an increase in excess deaths in Singapore.
The MOH categorically dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the vaccination program in Singapore has contributed significantly to one of the lowest excess death rates in the world. The Ministry pointed out that COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of death compared to the unvaccinated, citing multiple studies that support their safety and efficacy.
Contrary to the opposition’s assertions, the Ministry stated that excess deaths in Singapore during the pandemic were largely linked to those who contracted COVID-19, particularly unvaccinated individuals. Studies showed that those who remained unvaccinated were disproportionately represented among COVID-related deaths, particularly among seniors.
MOH also highlighted that over 19.8 million deaths worldwide were prevented due to COVID-19 vaccines within the first year of their availability. Furthermore, vaccination not only reduced mortality but also mitigated the risk of developing long-term conditions like heart issues, respiratory complications, and thrombotic diseases, commonly known as Long COVID.
Regarding the claims about vaccine side effects, the Ministry reaffirmed its transparency in reporting any adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. While mild side effects such as fatigue or fever were common, the Ministry noted that severe reactions remained rare, with rates of severe side effects at only 0.007% per 100,000 doses.
MOH also addressed the opposition party’s citation of “so-called experts,” stressing that these individuals have promoted misinformation about vaccines. The Ministry urged the public to verify information through reliable and authoritative sources, reiterating that the overwhelming body of scientific evidence confirms the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.
In conclusion, MOH reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring vaccine safety and adjusting recommendations based on the best available scientific evidence, emphasizing that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
