Singapore ― Tanjong Pagar GRC Member of Parliament (PAP) Alvin Tan took to social media to highlight the “genuine fear” seniors have in getting vaccinated, so he led by example and accompanied an elderly woman to get her first dose while he got a booster shot.
“A special moment,” wrote Mr Tan on Facebook on Saturday (Oct 9), sharing his experience with accompanying Madam Ye, a resident in the area of his jurisdiction.
Mr Tan bumped into Mdm Ye and asked her if she had got vaccinated already.
“She said she was afraid so didn’t want to get jabbed,” he noted, assuring her that it would be okay.
The duo went to a mobile vaccination site at Pek Kio Community Centre to get vaccinated together, the first shot for Mdm Ye and a booster shot for Mr Tan.
Despite the doctor on duty giving Mdm Ye clearance to get vaccinated, she was still nervous, said Mr Tan.
“So I offered to get jabbed first and invited her to sit next to me so she could see the process for herself.”
They chatted about her pet dog, and before long, Mdm Ye got the first dose. She didn’t even feel it! Mr Tan exclaimed.
“Some of our seniors have a genuine fear of vaccination,” noted Mr Tan.
“I learnt that it helps to acknowledge their fears, walk alongside them and assure them,” he added.
He attached a video of Mdm Ye getting jabbed, admitting she didn’t feel a thing.
“It’s done! No problem at all,” said Mr Tan as everyone around them cheered and clapped for Mdm Ye.
In his speech addressing the Covid-19 situation on Saturday (Oct 9), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted that the remaining threat of the virus remains on the elderly, those 60 years old and above if not vaccinated and 80 years old and above if vaccinated.
He urged for them to get vaccinated and go for their booster shots when possible. /TISG
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