S’pore PR Seeks Court Order for Daughter to Take COVID-19 Vaccine as Ex-Wife Opposed to the Jab

What would you do if one parent wanted you to do something, but the other opposed it?

Well, if it was eating ice cream, you’d certainly go with the parent who’d get you some.

But what if it was getting a vaccine?

Throw a pandemic and legal battle into the mix, and things can get real messy.

S’pore PR Seeks Court Order for Daughter to Take COVID-19 Vaccine as Ex-Wife Opposed to the Jab

A man has resorted to seeking a court order to allow his daughter to get a COVID-19 vaccine due to strong opposition from his ex-wife on the matter.

Both he and his ex-wife share custody of their daughter, who’s 16 this year.

According to CNA, the man and his ex-wife got hitched in 2003 here. The man is a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) while his wife is a Singaporean.

In 2012, the couple separated and lived apart for three years, after which the man applied for a divorce.

The divorce went through and the couple was granted joint custody of their daughter.

Things were fine and dandy until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and vaccinations became available.

The man said he’s fully vaccinated and wishes for his daughter to get the vaccine too.

“This is especially after the Government has announced the current policy of living with the virus which is accompanied by the recent hike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore,” he said in an affidavit.

His daughter feels the same way and made it clear in a letter attached to her father’s affidavit that she wants to get vaccinated as well.

“Due to the increased number of community cases in recent weeks, I have become more concerned for my health and that of those around me,” she said.

“I want to immunise myself against the virus so even in the case that I get it, my chances of becoming seriously ill are inhibited.”

What’s more, she also wants to have a social life, travel when it’s possible, and dine out and watch movies, as we all do.

Forced to Take Legal Action

Unfortunately for both father and daughter, the man’s ex-wife is “strongly opposed” to her daughter getting the vaccine.

The man and his former spouse have discussed the issue numerous times, but have not been able to come to an agreement.

“I am left with no alternative but to apply to this honourable court to vary the consent order to allow me to be allowed to make a decision on having (my daughter) vaccinated,” he wrote.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Teens

While Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine hasn’t yet been approved for teens aged 12 and above, the one developed by Pfizer-BioNTech has.

And according to the Ministry of Health, it’s perfectly safe.

“Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has assessed that the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine is safe for use on adolescents aged 12 years to 15 years,” it said on its website.

“Based on the clinical trials for this group, the vaccine has demonstrated a high vaccine efficacy consistent with that observed in the adult population.

“Its safety profile is also consistent with the known safety profile in the adult population and the standards set for other registered vaccines used in the immunisation against other diseases,” it added.

As for children below the age of 12, trials are still ongoing.

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