The effectiveness of vaccination against the Covid-19 Delta variant, regardless of symptoms, has been found to be 69 per cent, according to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung at a virtual doorstop on July 7.

The figure was derived from a study of about 1,000 Covid-19 cases or household contacts.

In noting that the finding was consistent with international observations, Ong added that Singapore's findings would be submitted for international publication to contribute to understanding of the Delta variant and vaccines.

Vaccines have more than 80 per cent efficacy against symptomatic Covid-19

As for protection against severe Covid-19 illnesses, data in Singapore has found the protection of vaccination against symptomatic disease to be between 80 per cent to 90 per cent.

In addition, protection against severe Covid-19 disease, in which oxygen supplementation and ICU care are required, was found to be at 93 per cent.

Ong noted that among local cases reported since April 11, only one per cent of those who were vaccinated required oxygen, with none admitted into ICU.

In comparison, unvaccinated cases saw 10 per cent of their number develop severe Covid-19 illness, he highlighted.

Public should re-book their second appointment to an earlier date

Those who have received their first dose are encouraged to re-book their second dose appointment to an earlier date, such that the interval between the first and second dose is four weeks instead of six to eight weeks.

"We are not constrained by supplies anymore, and in fact we have capacity to deliver more dosages," Ong said.

Ong also pointed to a UK study which showed that against the Delta variant, protection against symptomatic illness of the Delta variant was 35 per cent for one dose and 79 per cent for two doses.

So far, 131,000 people have moved their second dose appointments forward, with another 200,000 that have yet to do so, he added.

"We expect 50 per cent of our population to have received two doses of vaccines around the week of July 26, around the starting of the fourth week of July. [...] By then, that is an important milestone, and I think we can open up even further."

Top image from Ong Ye Kung Facebook