COVID-19 Vaccinations Rise
Another month passes by in the midst of the pandemic– but there’s great news imminent on the horizon: we’re moving closer to achieving herd community. For those who prefer to play it safe and “wait and see” before getting vaccinated, not to worry. As reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH), common side effects are moderate and are generally manageable at home. You may also be wondering if coverage for COVID-19 vaccination is required.
Of course, there have been infrequent reports of certain individuals experiencing heart inflammation following the second dose of mRNA-based vaccines. This was seen in males aged 18 to 30 years old.
As Vaccination Coverage Increases, So Does Hospitalisation Coverage
Sadly, a 16-year-old boy recently suffered cardiac arrest following his first dose of the vaccine locally. He is currently in critical condition at the National University Hospital, at its intensive care unit. While most of us would prefer not to think about potential adverse effects affecting ourselves or our loved ones, it is important to have full medical coverage in the event of unpredictable circumstances.
Beyond offering free vaccinations to Singapore’s resident population, MOH is also offering the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme for COVID-19 (VIFAP) to mitigate more serious side effects.
VIFAP offers a one-time pay-out of up to S$225,000 for those affected by potentially life-threatening, debilitating or fatal side effects that arise from administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Beyond MOH, for those looking for even more comprehensive coverage, private insurance companies are also providing hospitalisation coverage to ease the minds of the worried.
Private Hospitalisation Cover For COVID-19 Side Effects
While reports of hospitalisation due to the COVID-19 vaccine have been slim, one can always benefit greatly from having broad hospitalisation coverage in difficult times like this.
The good news is that multiple insurance companies are offering hospitalisation coverage free of charge to all Singapore residents between certain ages. Individuals are able to apply for this programme even if they have already applied for VIFAP, or are on insurance plans with other insurance companies.
You might be wondering: what’s the catch? There is none! All you have to do is head to the respective website, and fill in your details. Once you receive confirmation, you’re covered.
Key Benefits Of Vaccine Hospitalisation Cover
COVID-19 vaccination coverage addresses main concerns arising from side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination such as:
- Accidental Death
- Total Permanent Disability
- Hospital Allowance
- Travel Reimbursement
The coverage varies and we recommend reading through the policy and its specific benefits prior to registering.
Not to fret if you’ve already had your first dose- you are still eligible to apply! If you’re concerned about high-risk family members, you can even register on their behalf, providing their mobile number and email address during registration.
Participating Insurance Companies for COVID-19 Vaccination
- PRUSafe COVIDCover – Open to all Singapore residents over 18
- AIA COVID-19 Vaccine Cover – Open to all Singapore Residents aged 2 weeks to 65 years old
- AIG Vaccine Hospitalisation Cover – Open to all Singapore residents over 16
- Etiqa Financial Assistance Benefit for side effects of COVID-19 Vaccine – Open to all Singapore residents over aged 17 to 70 years old
- Raffles COVID Safe Cover – Open to all Singapore residents over 18
Coverage Is Better Than None
As the saying goes, caution is the parent of safety when it comes to avoiding unpleasant consequences.
While the Singapore government approved vaccines have been deemed safe for our local vaccination programmes, you can never take too many precautions in protecting yourself and your loved ones. After all, the past year has shown us that one can never take too many precautions when living in the age of a pandemic.
