Singapore, with a population of 5.7 million, is scheduled to start free vaccinations of Pfizer within this year, and attention is being paid to the process of obtaining a vaccine and responding to the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in Singapore.
1,000 confirmed cases per day in March-April, after the heightened crisis
Early contact with pharmaceutical companies, early down payment
“The bureaucracy, the invisible hero who helped overcome the crisis”
Logistics system also helps to transport cryogenic vaccines
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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Shen-Long explains on the 14th that the vaccine is secured in Singapore. [유튜브]
– On the 14th (local time), Singaporean Prime Minister Li Xianlong (68) Sufficient vaccine to vaccinate all Singaporeans by the third quarter of next year (July to September)He said he expects to secure.
“It is recommended that all adults get the vaccine, but it is not mandatory,” said Prime Minister Lee. “The vaccination priority is medical staff, those on the front line of the corona, and the elderly.” He added that cabinet officials, including himself, will also be vaccinated. Long-term residents who wish to be vaccinated can get the vaccine for free.
Prime Minister Lee explained the process of securing the vaccine. ▶ Early contact with pharmaceutical companies ▶ Efforts of ministries officials ▶ Construction of a logistics system for transporting cryogenic vaccines was mentioned as the background of the success.
Singapore’s efforts to secure a vaccine were triggered by the’a painful mistake’ it experienced earlier this year. From March to April this year, the number of confirmed cases in Singapore peaked at more than 1,000 per day.
“One key factor (to overcome the corona) was how quickly we could get the Corona 19 vaccine,” said Prime Minister Lee. “The government has been quietly working behind the scenes for vaccination.”
After allocating 1 billion Singapore dollars (about 820 billion won) to secure the vaccine, the Singaporean government tried to contact pharmaceutical companies from the beginning. As a result, Singapore signed a pre-purchase agreement with several valid candidates, including Modena, Pfizer-Bioentech, and Sinovac, and paid the down payment.
Singapore’s efforts to secure vaccines have also been made within the country. Prime Minister Lee added, “The government supported vaccine research in Singapore to diversify our portfolio,” he added. “It gave Singaporean scientists the opportunity to do state-of-the-art research, while also providing insurance in case the global supply chain collapses.”
Prime Minister Lee said, “It was because of the government-wide efforts that we were able to secure vaccines quickly,” he said. “The invisible heroes who helped the bureaucrats of various ministries overcome the crisis.”
Singapore’s investments over the years as a global logistics hub have also been instrumental in the vaccine delivery process. Pfizer vaccine should be stored and transported in a cryogenic condition below -70 degrees Celsius. In this process, infrastructure and skilled manpower are essential.
“Global logistics companies such as DHL are headquartered in Singapore,” said Prime Minister Lee. “Singapore’s Changi Airport ground handling companies have also been certified to transport medical supplies (IATA).” “This wasn’t done overnight,” he explained, “but years of long-term investments have paid off.”
According to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (2018), Singapore ranked 2nd in Asia and 7th in the world. KOTRA Singapore Trade Office said, “With Corona 19, cold chain technology in Singapore’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industry is getting more attention.”
![Vehicles with cold chain system in operation in Singapore. [로이터=연합뉴스]](https://i0.wp.com/pds.joins.com/news/component/htmlphoto_mmdata/202012/20/e5c484ce-ad41-41b4-9793-ba344d4a91bc.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
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Vehicles with cold chain system in operation in Singapore. [로이터=연합뉴스]
– Currently, we have secured a vaccine that can inoculate the entire population, and the new confirmed cases are virtually’zero’, but Prime Minister Lee said, “Now it is not the time to relax and be vigilant.” No,” he asked.
According to World Omometer on the 20th, the cumulative coronavirus confirmed in Singapore was 58,403 and 29 deaths.
Reporter Seo Yujin [email protected]
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