To support the national efforts for COVID-19 vaccination, outpatients with complex, chronic medical conditions patients who are seen at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) will be offered vaccination if they have no medical contraindications. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be offered to patients in SKH.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is SKH offering COVID-19 vaccination?
Yes, but only for our outpatients who are on follow-up with SKH. Our doctors will assess patients for their suitability to receive the vaccination. Selection is based on our patients' clinical conditions.
2. I read from news reports that the Ministry is working with hospitals to provide earlier vaccinations for patients. Can I make an appointment?
If you are a patient at SKH, please ask your doctor at your next follow-up appointment to assess your suitability to receive the vaccine.
If you are not our patient, you are advised to join the national public vaccination programme at community vaccination centres.
3. If I'm currently warded at SKH, can I enrol to take the COVID-19 vaccination?
The vaccination exercise is currently not extended to inpatients at SingHealth public hospitals including SKH. This is because post-vaccination side effects, such as fever, may duly complicate the clinical management of patients while they are hospitalised for other conditions. In addition, inpatients do not stay long enough or are discharged before they could complete the two doses of the vaccine.
4. a) I was recently discharged from SKH ED. Can I enrol to take the COVID-19 vaccination in SKH?
b) I was recently admitted in SKH as an inpatient. Can I enrol to take the COVID-19 vaccination in SKH?
SKH is offering COVID-19 vaccination to only eligible patients with complex, chronic diseases who are on follow-up with us. If you are not on follow-up at our specialist outpatient clinic, you are advised to join the national public vaccination programme at the community vaccination centres.
5. Which vaccine is being offered at SKH?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be used for patient vaccination at SKH.
6. Is there an age requirement for me to be enrolled to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in SKH?
Patients with complex, chronic medical conditions, will be offered the COVID-19 vaccination at public hospitals, subject to their doctors' assessment.
7. When will SKH start vaccination?
SKH will start the vaccination for eligible patients from 30 March 2021.
8. I am an existing SKH patient with an upcoming follow-up appointment in SKH. How can I enrol myself to receive COVID-19 vaccination at SKH?
Our doctors will discuss with patients during their outpatient clinic consultation. If a patient is assessed to be suitable, the patient will be offered vaccination. If the patient consents, our staff will do a pre-vaccination screening and help the patient to book the first and second dose appointments of the COVID-19 vaccination.
9. I am currently seeing the Cardiologist at NHCS@SKH / Oncologist at NCCS@SKH / Eye doctor at SNEC@SKH. Can I enrol myself to receive COVID-19 vaccination at SKH instead?
You may discuss with your doctor at your next outpatient clinic consultation at NHCS@SKH / NCCS@SKH / SNEC@SKH on your suitability to have the vaccination. If you are assessed to be suitable, you will be offered vaccination in SKH.
Please note that if you decide to proceed with the vaccination at SKH, you will have to come back to SKH to receive both doses at SKH.
10. I'm a patient at SKH specialist clinic but my next appointment is 'X' months later. Should I wait for my appointment?
If your next appointment is less than 3 months, you can wait till your next appointment to ask your doctor to assess your condition/suitability to receive the vaccination. Our doctors will assess patients for their suitability to have vaccination.
If your follow-up consultation is on a much later date (more than 3 months), we can help you to book an appointment to do a phone consult with your doctor to assess your suitability to receive the vaccination. Alternatively, you may join the national public vaccination programme by enrolling yourself at the community vaccination centres.
11. Will I be charged for the phone consult?
You will not be charged for the phone consult with the doctor to assess your suitability.
12. Can I get my vaccination on the same day as my clinic appointment / walk-in on another day?
You may not be able to obtain an appointment on the same day. Vaccination appointments must be booked in advance to ensure that we order the vaccine for you. 13. I don't want to do pre-vaccination screening on the day of my appointment. Can I come down on another day?
Please inform your doctor that you are not going for the pre-vaccination screening on the same day. We will arrange for a nurse to do the screening over the phone and schedule an appointment for you, if you are suitable to receive the vaccination.
14. Can my family members who are with me get the injection at the same time?
SKH is offering COVID-19 vaccination to only eligible patients with complex, chronic diseases who are on follow-up with us. If you are not our patient, you may join the national public vaccination programme at the community vaccination centres.
13. Can dose 1 and dose 2 be done at different places e.g. #1 at hospital and #2 at the CC?
As different vaccination centres may use different COVID-19 vaccines, you should return to the same vaccination centre for the second dose. Hence, if you opt for COVID-19 vaccination at SKH, please return here for your second dose. At the point of enrolment, we will help you make the appointments for both Dose 1 and Dose 2.
14. I had received my dose 1 vaccination in SKH and have also just received a letter/SMS to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at a community vaccination centre. What do I do?
If you started your COVID-19 vaccination at SKH and received a letter/SMS later inviting you for vaccination at a community vaccination centre, you do not need to respond to the letter/SMS. Instead, you should complete the second dose at SKH. This is because different vaccination centres may use different brands of vaccines.
15. What if I say "no" to vaccination now and change my mind later? Can I come back to the hospital for my vaccination?
If you change your mind, you would have to wait for your next follow-up outpatient appointment to see your doctor. Alternatively, you may join the national vaccination programme at the community vaccination centres.
16. Although I'm a patient of SKH, I live near another SingHealth institution. Can you arrange for me to have my vaccination at that institution?
As your medical condition is managed at SKH, you must return to SKH for your vaccination. Alternatively, you may join the national vaccination exercise at your nearest community vaccination centre.
17. I have my appointment date for vaccination. How do I reschedule or cancel my appointment if I'm unwell or I change my mind about vaccination?
Please call 6930 6000 or use the SingHealth Health Buddy app at least two working days in advance to change or cancel your appointment. For those who have taken your first dose, your second dose has to be taken between 17 – 28 days after the first dose.
18. I have a Dose 1 appointment in SKH. Where do I go to receive my COVID-19 vaccination?
The vaccination centre in SKH is located at SKH Medical Centre, Level 7.
19. Is the COVID-19 vaccination in SKH chargeable for all eligible patients (including foreigners)?
Vaccination is free for all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term residents in Singapore. This includes long-term visitor pass, employment pass, S Pass, work permit and dependant pass holders.
20. What do I need to prepare / bring on the day of my Dose 1 / Dose 2 vaccination appointment in SKH?
During the day of your vaccination, please bring along your identification card (IC) for registration. Please also come for your appointment on time and come in loose-sleeved top / short sleeves. If you are unwell, please reschedule your appointment at least two working days in advance.
21. Will I get a vaccination certificate?
A printed card will be given to you after your first and second vaccinations. In addition, your vaccination records are on Health Hub which is accessible to you (log in using Singpass). Healthcare professionals (e.g. doctors at hospitals, polyclinics and GPs) taking care of you can access your vaccination records through the National Electronic Health Records (NEHR) system.
22. What happens if I get an allergic reaction? Do I come back to SKH or visit my GP?
The vaccine has been assessed to be safe for use. However, you may experience common side effects, similar to other vaccines. Most side effects are mild or moderate, and usually get better within a few days. You can refer to www.vaccine.gov.sg for more details on how to manage the common side effects.
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately. Call 995 or go to the nearest A&E immediately.
23. Who will pay my bill if I suffer from side effects due to the vaccination?
In the rare event you have serious side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines and need hospitalisation, you may apply to MOH for one-time financial aid (VIFAP). VIFAP is not meant to reimburse medical costs but provides additional support on top of existing government healthcare financing schemes and subsidies.
Please note that you have to settle the hospitalisation bills first through Medisave or insurance or cash and apply for VIFAP reimbursement.
More information on how to apply can be found on MOH's website (www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/vaccination/vifap).
24. How much financial assistance can I get from VIFAP?
More information on the amount of financial assistance (payouts) and how to apply can be found on MOH's website (www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/vaccination/vifap).
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