COVID-19 vaccine programmes are being rolled out across the world, including in Singapore. Last month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that vaccination would be free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents. While vaccination is voluntary, all medically eligible residents are encouraged to come forward to get vaccinated.
“Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself.
The more of us are vaccinated, the harder it will be for the virus to spread, and the safer we will all be as a society.”
– Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Singaporeans are generally well-informed about the benefits and potential side-effects of vaccines. However, given the speed of vaccine development and reports of adverse reactions, it is understandable that some are worried about getting their shots. Others have also questioned whether the risk of potential side effects is worth it, given the low number of daily cases and overall deaths.
It is thus important to provide clear information about the COVID-19 vaccines, both advantages and disadvantages, which could help improve public reception.
To this end, cartoonist Sonny Liew and Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean (Global Health) and Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases), have teamed up to produce a comic outlining what is currently known about the vaccines and addressing some concerns that people may have about them. Sonny and Assoc Prof Hsu have been working together since the start of the pandemic to explain the science behind COVID-19 through colourful and engaging comic strips, which can be read here.
In a podcast for CNA’s Heart of the Matter series, Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, member of Singapore’s Expert Committee for COVID-19 Vaccination, and Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying, answered frequently asked questions about the vaccines, safety and side effects. They also discussed why it is complicated to offer people choice of vaccine, the considerations behind why it’s not mandatory, and reasons to get vaccinated.
Read the interview and FAQs here:
- No corners cut in Singapore’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Expert panel doctor, Channel NewsAsia, 7 January 2020
- Worried about anaphylactic reactions and side effects? Experts answer FAQs on COVID-19 vaccination, Channel NewsAsia, 7 January 2020