The move to get people in Singapore vaccinated for Covid-19 has received support from banks and insurance companies, with OCBC Bank and insurer Great Eastern separately announcing programmes to help those receiving the shots.
Great Eastern, which announced a $1 million vaccine fund for its customers, said those who get vaccinated will receive a daily hospital benefit of $300 for up to seven days, if they are hospitalised because of the vaccine within three months of the day of the first dose.
Meanwhile, OCBC said its staff in Singapore will have their medical consultation fees reimbursed if they develop side effects from the vaccine. Bank employees will also get a day off on the day of the jab, and be allowed to work from home for one week after vaccination.
They will receive private taxi reimbursement to and from the vaccination clinics and an additional two days of medical leave without the need to provide a medical certificate in the event of side effects.
Similar initiatives will be rolled out for employees in the bank's core markets when the vaccine is available in those countries, said OCBC in a statement.
The bank added that it will educate its 10,000 workers in Singapore about the Covid-19 vaccine.
This began last Friday with a webinar featuring infectious diseases specialist Leong Hoe Nam from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
The event was fully subscribed within half a day, prompting the bank to double the number of places to 1,000 employees.
The most common questions asked were whether those with pre-existing medical conditions could take the vaccine; the potential side effects it might have; what to avoid after vaccination; and if it was safe to take more than one set of vaccines from different manufacturers.
More webinars with medical experts are being planned.
"While the decision for taking Covid-19 vaccination is very personal, we want to help our employees come to a decision based on sound medical advice," said Mr Jason Ho, OCBC's head of group human resources.
Several insurance companies and DBS Bank told The Straits Times that they have or are planning initiatives for customers and employees in relation to the vaccination programme.
Insurers Prudential and Aviva Singapore are covering customers if they are hospitalised due to side effects from Covid-19 vaccinations approved by the Health Sciences Authority. AXA said it intends to follow suit.
Starting last Wednesday, this protection applies to Prudential's Integrated Shield Plan and corporate customers. There is no change to the premiums, as is the case for those under Aviva Singapore's health insurance plans. Such coverage is also extended to Prudential's over 1,400 employees.
DBS said that since last March, its employees have been able to access a free medical helpline and virtual doctors.
Said the bank's group head of rewards Cheong Meng Foong: "As the authorities continue to ramp up vaccination, DBS will continue to assess if and what additional support employees may need."
