Following Malta, Singapore Also Achieves "Over 80% Population Fully Vaccinated"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Countries reaching the 80% vaccination completion rate, which our government set as the standard for 'With Corona,' are emerging one after another. These countries intend to treat COVID-19 not as an infectious disease that needs to be eradicated but as a disease to coexist with in everyday life.

On the 29th, Singapore announced that more than 80% of its population had completed COVID-19 vaccination. Ong Ye Kung, Singapore's Minister of Health, stated this on Facebook and said, "We have taken another step toward making ourselves a more resilient nation in the COVID-19 crisis."

Singapore, with a population of 5.7 million, declared 'With Corona' at the end of June when the first-dose vaccination rate exceeded 70%. This decision was based on the judgment that COVID-19, like the Delta variant, must inevitably coexist with humanity like the flu.

Instead of tracking confirmed cases' movements, Singapore focused on managing severe patients and gradually eased quarantine measures. From this month, the number of people allowed in shopping malls and cinemas has increased, and the return to offices is accelerating.

Starting yesterday, rapid antigen test kits began to be distributed to all households. The Singapore Ministry of Health stated, "Given the high vaccination rate, it is necessary to shift the focus to testing and surveillance such as self-diagnosis to proactively manage COVID-19."

Besides Singapore, Malta is another country with a vaccination completion rate exceeding 80%. According to the international statistics site Our World in Data, Malta's vaccination completion rate is 82%, the highest in the world. Following are Singapore (80%), United Arab Emirates (76%), Iceland (73%), and Portugal (73%).

There are five countries where the first-dose vaccination rate exceeds 80%. The United Arab Emirates leads with 87%, followed by Portugal (82%), Malta (82%), Qatar (82%), and Singapore.

Denmark, currently with a 71% vaccination completion rate, plans to fully lift COVID-19 related quarantine measures starting from the 10th of next month. Entry to restaurants, nightclubs, and sports stadiums will be allowed without a 'COVID pass,' and mask mandates will be removed.

Israel, which declared 'With Corona' early on, is expanding booster shot eligibility to all vaccinated individuals. From today, anyone aged 12 or older who is five months past their second dose can receive a booster shot. Those who have received the booster shot will not need to quarantine upon returning from overseas travel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.