Singapore starts COVID-19 jabs for seniors, with Ang Mo Kio, Tanjong Pagar residents receiving shots
By Yuen Sin and Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 28 Jan 2021
The vaccination drive for the elderly got under way yesterday as seniors in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar began receiving Covid-19 jabs at polyclinics and the community vaccination centre at Tanjong Pagar Community Club.
The pilot scheme will eventually be expanded to seniors in other precincts.
With some clutching appointment cards, they began streaming into the polyclinics from as early as 8am to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who visited Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic, said he was glad that the vaccination process for seniors there was running smoothly, with more than 200 having made appointments to receive vaccine jabs at the polyclinic yesterday.
"So far, everybody who has booked those slots has turned up. Very few no-shows. So I think that people are taking it seriously and in the right spirit," he said.
More than 120 also got vaccinated at Outram Polyclinic yesterday. In all, close to 100,000 people have been vaccinated here since the drive started last month, up from over 60,000 as at last Friday.
Housewife Chin Mee Jung, 71, said she was nervous before her appointment at Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic. But she received her jab without any hiccups.
"It wasn't painful, and it will be even scarier if I did not get vaccinated and end up contracting the virus," said Madam Chin.
Madam Lee Oi Lin, 70, was also initially apprehensive but decided to get vaccinated at Outram Polyclinic for her own protection.
"Actually, I was a little worried at first because I am a senior," the retiree said in Mandarin, adding that she has high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
"But after thinking about it, I still decided to get vaccinated."
Mr Mohamed Haniffa Mohamed Ali, a 64-year-old security officer, also received the vaccine at the Outram site yesterday.
Both his daughters - one is a nurse and the other works as a screener in a hotel - have been vaccinated.
"I consulted them and they said 'Father, go ahead'," he said.
However, a senior, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ho, said he was advised not to take the jab after turning up at Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic for his appointment, as he had previously developed allergic reactions to a painkiller.
"The staff at the polyclinic had asked very detailed questions about my medical history. Though I can't take the jab today, it is better to be safe than sorry, in case there are complications," the 73-year-old said in Mandarin.
Between 5,000 and 10,000 seniors in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar will receive letters inviting them to book appointments to get vaccinated, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said last week. This number may increase or be reduced, depending on the response.
The pilots in the two towns will help the Ministry of Health iron out any operational issues before it scales up the programme nationwide, with vaccinations to be progressively extended to all seniors from the middle of next month.
Vaccines will also be offered to seniors at the community vaccination centre at Teck Ghee Community Club in Ang Mo Kio, which will be set up by Feb 1.
Each of the 24 towns here will have one community vaccination centre by end-March at locations like community centres.
PM Lee said seniors have told him that Silver Generation Ambassadors have been visiting them to provide information on the vaccines.
"It is good for you, it is safe, it is free, and will help all of us," he said.
Senior couple in first batch to get COVID-19 vaccine urge others to get theirs 'so that we can all be safe'
By Ivan Kwee, The Straits Times, 28 Jan 2021
Madam Tan Choon Kiat, 71, and her husband Goh Chin Heng, 75, never hesitated about whether to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
When the couple first learnt about the benefits of the vaccine from watching the news, they knew they should get vaccinated.
"It's not just us - everyone should take the vaccine as soon as possible, so that we can all be safe," Madam Tan said in Mandarin.
The duo received their vaccines yesterday at Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic, under a pilot scheme that offers vaccinations to seniors in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar.
The couple were pleased with the vaccination process, saying it went smoothly from start to end.
Mr Goh said in Mandarin: "The nurses at the polyclinic were polite, and the polyclinic was very orderly. When it was my turn, I didn't even feel the needle when the nurse gave me the jab."
The couple spent 30 minutes under observation at the polyclinic, in line with precautionary measures in case of any adverse reactions.
The pair, who have a history of medical conditions, said they did not experience any side effects as they went about their day, having breakfast at a hawker centre nearby before walking home.
They live with their two sons in a Housing Board flat located a 15-minute walk from Ang Mo Kio town centre.
Mr Goh, who used to work as a bus inspector, said: "Our children were a little worried at first, but after hearing that we were okay, they were relieved."
Since the pandemic began, he and his wife have left their home only when necessary.
"The vaccine is like insurance for when we have to go out, but we must still continue to take care of ourselves and wear our masks," said Mr Goh.
PM Lee Hsien Loong urges Singaporeans to guard against new clusters during Chinese New Year
Celebrate differently this year to avoid risk of super-spreader event and a lockdown, he says
By Yuen Sin and Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 28 Jan 2021
Singaporeans have to take precautions as they celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year amid the coronavirus pandemic, to guard against the risk of new clusters forming, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.
On his part, he will be having a small celebration at home. PM Lee said: "I am going to do my usual visits to essential workers who are still working away during this period... Then I will celebrate Chinese New Year with eight visitors - not more - from the family."
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic, where vaccinations for seniors aged 70 and above kicked off yesterday, PM Lee stressed that there remains a danger of a super-spreader event occurring during the festivities.
Chinese New Year, he noted, involves people visiting one another in large numbers, just like other festivals. "You have food, you have drinks, you have a good time, you gamble together... Each time you do that, there is a risk."
The Government is able to keep things under control if one or two cases emerge, he added.
"Five, six, seven cases in a cluster, if we are lucky, we work very hard, we trace hundreds of people, we can squeeze it down."
But if a few dozen clusters emerge, then there is a very real risk that Singapore may go back to the situation in March and April last year, when cases spiked. "We had to lock down with a circuit breaker, and that's a very high and disruptive cost for all of us in Singapore to pay."
Rather than take that risk, Singaporeans can restrain themselves, and celebrate Chinese New Year differently this year to keep Singapore safe, PM Lee added.
Under new measures announced by the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force, only up to eight visitors are allowed per household each day.
Individuals are advised to visit a maximum of two households daily.
Diners should also avoid shouting auspicious phrases when engaging in lohei, or the tossing of yusheng.
PM Lee said: "When you lohei, please do it in your hearts. If you must have the sound, there are very good apps - you press the button and they will say the right words for you."
He also said he hopes everybody will understand that this will not be a normal Year of the Ox. "Celebrate it in the right spirit but keep ourselves safe, so that perhaps a year from now, when the Year of the Tiger comes around, we would be roaring like a tiger."
PM Lee, who received his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Jan 8, said he will be receiving his second dose tomorrow. Apart from his arm feeling slightly sore for the first two days, he did not have any side effects.
President Halimah Yacob also got the jab on the sidelines of a visit to Outram Polyclinic yesterday. "The process was quick, simple and not painful at all," she wrote in a Facebook post afterwards.
She urged Singaporeans to take the vaccine when it becomes available to them, adding that a high level of vaccination coverage will maximise protection for the population and minimise the proportion of people still susceptible to Covid-19.
Madam Halimah added that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's position is that Covid-19 vaccines are permissible for use by Muslims.
"By taking the vaccination, we will not only protect ourselves, but also our loved ones against Covid-19, as we need to safeguard our family members and friends," she said.