Singaporean physician knighted for contributions to COVID-19 vaccination programme

Professor Lim Wei Shen, a Singaporean consultant respiratory physician and honorary professor of medicine, has been awarded the title of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), as one of four distinguished foreigners recognized this year for their services.

This knighthood, announced on 21 March, recognises Prof Lim's significant contributions to the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the United Kingdom.

Prof Lim, who serves at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in England, has been a pivotal figure in the battle against COVID-19.

Graduating from the University of Nottingham Medical School in 1991, he has dedicated his career to advancing General Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine. His name has appeared on the specialist register since 2002.

Perhaps most notably, since November 2020 or earlier, Prof Lim has led the COVID-19 subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, offering critical advice to the UK government. In this role, he has worked tirelessly to review evidence as it became available, advise the government, and help achieve a rapid vaccination programme.

Under his leadership, the committee has navigated the complex challenges of the pandemic, contributing significantly to the nation's vaccination strategy and ultimately saving countless lives.

The KBE is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed by the British Sovereign to civilians and is awarded in an honorary capacity to foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to British interests.

Prof Lim's knighthood is a testament to his extraordinary efforts and achievements, especially in the realm of public health and safety during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.

In addition to the KBE, Prof Lim was also awarded the prestigious research medal, the Moxon Medal, by the Royal College of Physicians in January 2022 for his outstanding contribution to clinical medicine, and the British Thoracic Society’s (BTS) President’s Award in December last year, all of which were awards of exceptional importance.

Prof Lim is from the 1983 batch of Anglo-Chinese School in Singapore and had a photo of him been previously playing at Singapore Primary Schools Team Championship in 1979. National U-12, U-14 individual champion.