Singapore Dec 1 (BUS): Singapore’s COVID-19 vaccination rate has risen to 96% of the eligible population and authorities are now racing ahead to give booster shots amid concerns about the Omicron variant.
The city state’s health department, which has the world’s highest vaccination rates, said late Tuesday that it had updated its official vaccination rate to account for a small population decline, Reuters reported.
The ministry said that as of November 29, 96% of the eligible population had completed the full vaccination regimen, up-to-date from 94%. This translates to about 86% of the total population of about 5.5 million.
About two months ago, 82% of the total population was fully vaccinated against the virus.
Singapore banned unvaccinated people from entering malls from mid-October, and authorities said they would tighten rules from January 1, including allowing only vaccinated individuals to enter workplaces.
The state administered boosters to 26% of the population.
Singapore has not detected any cases of Omicron yet.
On Tuesday, it said two travelers from Johannesburg who tested positive for the coronavirus in Sydney had transited through Changi Airport.
FKN