Singapore’s health ministry announced Monday that people who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine but choose not to take it will not have their medical bills covered by the government after Dec. 8. “Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources,” part of the announcement reads. “Hence, from 8 December 2021, we will begin charging COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice. This will apply to all unvaccinated COVID-19 patients admitted on or after 8 December 2021 to hospitals and [COVID-19 Treatment Facilities]. COVID-19 medical bills for those who are ineligible for vaccination will still be fully paid for by the government, i.e. children under 12 years old or medically ineligible persons.” Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s minister for health, told a virtual news conference that hospital costs to be imposed on the “unvaccinated by …