S’porean Politicians Team up With Local Celebrities to Encourage Senior Citizens to Get Their COVID-19 Jabs

As you may know, half of the cases in the Bukit Merah View COVID-19 cluster, which is our largest active cluster, were not vaccinated.

This is why the authorities are encouraging more seniors to get the jab, even though most seniors aged 60 and above have received at least one dose.

In Moscow, the authorities are giving away free cars every week to vaccinated residents in a bid to quicken its sluggish vaccination rate.

Sadly, if the authorities did that in Singapore, we’d go bankrupt in about three days.

The next best thing may be to have familiar and trustworthy faces telling us about the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

And the government has upped its game: it’s gone from enlisting Phua Chu Kang and Rosie to promote the vaccines to promoting them itself.

S’porean Politicians Team up With Local Celebrities to Encourage Senior Citizens to Get Their COVID-19 Jabs

Singaporean politicians have teamed up with local celebrities in online videos to encourage more seniors to get inoculated.

The skits and interviews are part of a new video series by Gov.sg, which can be viewed on the Gov.sg’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

All videos address common questions and worries on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The videos reiterate the central message that older folks are more susceptible to severe illness if they contract COVID-19, and that getting vaccinated also protects loved ones and fellow residents.

In a Cantonese skit with actress Xiang Yun, Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo used the analogy of how an umbrella is always used during downpours, even though it cannot totally prevent you from getting wet.

Similarly, COVID-19 vaccines cannot completely prevent you from getting infected, but it can significantly lower your risk of getting severely ill from the disease.

Also, as Transport Minister S. Iswaran said in a Tamil interview with variety show host Saravanan Ayyavoo, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines can cause heart attacks and strokes.

In an interview conducted in Malay, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Communications and Information Rahayu Mahzam also told radio DJ Abdul Razak that 75% of eligible residents in the Malay/Muslim community have been vaccinated or have booked their appointments.

Other videos included Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaking in Mandarin with actress Zoe Tay and in Hokkien with actor Cavin Soh, as well as Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Koh Poh Koon speaking in Teochew with actor Rayson Tan.

All speakers reminded seniors that they no longer have to book appointments for a vaccination; they can simply walk into any vaccination centre and get a jab.

At the moment, nearly 80% of those in their 60s have received at least one dose, but the rate for those aged 70 and above is still less than 70%.

Finance Minister Lawrence Wong asked younger Singaporeans to encourage their elderly family members to protect themselves through vaccination.

Feature Image: YouTube (govsg)