COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Extended to Higher Risk Groups within MINDEF and the SAF

As part of the national vaccination programme, all Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel were strongly encouraged to receive their double dose vaccinations. More than 99% of service personnel were fully vaccinated by September 2021.

For service personnel who met the interval of six months after their second vaccine dose, vaccine boosters were offered to all those aged 30 years and above, and also those below 30 for groups at higher risk of infection, such as SAF healthcare and frontline workers.

MINDEF and the SAF have undertaken an updated risk assessment based on the current trends of community cases as well as the step up in tempo and scale of training. Groups assessed to have higher risk of infection similar to healthcare and frontline workers will benefit from the booster dose. As such, essential MINDEF and SAF personnel under the age of 30 from operational units, active units undergoing operational training, and the SAF training schools such as Officer Cadet School and Specialist Cadet School, will also be offered their booster vaccination.

The progressive expansion is expected to increase the vaccine booster coverage of the MINDEF and SAF population from 40% to more than 80% at the end of six months. The booster dose will provide added protection for these essential personnel to conduct operations, train safely and effectively, to maintain the SAF's operational readiness.

As with the primary vaccinations, eligible SAF service personnel will be strongly encouraged to receive their vaccine booster jab. Careful attention will be paid to monitoring for adverse reactions and all those who have received their boosters will only undertake light duties for two weeks.