INTERNATIONAL VACCINATION CERTIFICATES (Decentralization of approved stamp)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider making the approved stamp for vaccination certificates obtainable also at Maternal and Child Health and Outpatient Clinics.

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, International Vaccination Certificates and vaccination against cholera, smallpox and yellow fever are available at the Port Health Office at Finger Pier and the Airport Health Office at Paya Lebar Airport. They are open 24 hours a day. Similar services are also available from approved private practitioners.

However, the vaccination certificates can only be endorsed at Finger Pier and Paya Lebar Airport. The approved stamp has to be strictly controlled to ensure that the International Vaccination Certificates issued in Singapore are valid and recognised internationally. To minimise inconvenience to travellers, those vaccinated need not personally present themselves to have their Certificates endorsed.

As the number of countries requiring smallpox and cholera vaccinations is diminishing, there is no necessity to decentralise the approved stamp to Maternal and Child Health and Outpatient Clinics.