HEPATITIS B IMMUNIZATION (Extension to reservists and use of Medisave accounts)

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for Health (a) whether free Hepatitis B injections, which are being given to serving National Servicemen, can be extended to reservists; and (b) whether members of the Central Provident Fund can use their Medisave accounts to pay for Hepatitis B injections.

The Minister of State for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, I will answer on behalf of my Minister.

The Ministry of Health does not intend to extend Hepatitis B immunization to National Service reservists. This is because the risk of exposure to infection is negligible due to the short duration of their in-camp training.

Medisave Accounts can only be used for hospitalization expenses, not for outpatient expenses. Hepatitis B vaccinations, which are administered on an outpatient basis, do not qualify for Medisave withdrawals.