The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions and Vaccination

MUHAMAD DANIAL, JORDON ANG and KHELL LEE find out how youths perceive the importance of vaccination amid the pandemic.

More citizens have booked their slots for vaccination, on track to reach Singapore’s target.

PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES © Singapore Press Holdings Limited.

Permission required for reproduction.

A very thin, hollow tube with one sharp tip. The sharp needle pierces through the soft-layered skin. Prick! In an instance, you are finally vaccinated.

With the surge of COVID-19 cases in Singapore, vaccination is vital to keep one protected from the virus. 

Recently, the Singapore government announced that “dining-in at F&B outlets will resume from Aug 10, only for fully vaccinated people in up to groups of five” after the Phase Two (Heightened Alert) commenced on Jul 19. Although vaccinated youths rejoiced upon hearing this piece of news, not all of them had gotten vaccinated willingly.

According to a survey conducted by News Z among Singaporean youths, 55.1 per cent of the 49 vaccinated respondents felt pressured to get vaccinated. PHOTO: KHELL LEE

Peer pressure is one main factor that compels youths to conform to the majority of what society does. As more people around them are getting vaccinated, they will then be inclined to do so.

Mr Sharil Bin Sanusi, 18, a Nanyang Polytechnic student, is one such person who was pressured into getting vaccinated. He says that most of the pressure came from his grandfather who would call him everyday asking if he had already booked his vaccination slot. He also got pressured by his lecturers, who constantly reminded their students to hasten their vaccination. 

“I was afraid of needles and I feel like the process is very rushed,” Mr Sanusi says. “I know they say that the vaccine is not 100 per cent counter[ed] against COVID-19 but I still hear a lot of people [saying] that they still managed to contract the virus.”

Even though Mr Sanusi was reluctant, he eventually did so to appease his grandfather and lecturers.

Besides being peer pressured, there is still a portion of youths who are against vaccination. 

Ms Hazel Yap, 20, an Institute of Technical Education (ITE) student, opposed the idea of vaccination. Like many anti-vaxxers, vaccine hesitancy is a main concern for Ms Yap. 

“The greatest cost I’m not willing to incur is making such an important decision regarding my health with so little information,” she says. 

As much as these vaccines are proven to be effective, the safety and efficacy of these vaccines are still yet to be determined in the long run. These vaccines may also unknowingly pose dangers such as long-term health risks to individuals. 

Anti-vaxxers have also felt targeted after the easing of restrictions were announced that mainly catered to vaccinated people. 

“To be honest, it feels more [of] a discrimination against those who have not been vaccinated,” says Ms Yap. 

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However, Ms Yap is not the only one who holds these sentiments. According to an article reported by The Straits Times, anti-vaxxers in Singapore have also started an online petition that has accumulated more than 10,000 signatures. Many were drawn to sign the petition because of the discrimination and discomfort they faced. 

Instead of viewing it as a reward especially after being cooped up at home due to the Phase Two (Heightened Alert), Ms Yap says that the easing of restrictions is more of a negative incentive to urge unvaccinated people to take the vaccine.

Even so, there are still vaccinated youths who understand the importance of being socially responsible during this pandemic.

Even when taking pictures, Po continues to mask up to ensure the 

safety of those around her. PHOTO: PO YADI MAW TUN

Ms Po Yadi Maw Tun, 18, a Republic Polytechnic student, says that taking the vaccine is a necessity and a responsibility to protect herself and those around her.

By getting vaccinated, it has made Ms Tun feel much safer and protected when going out in public. 

“Not only does being vaccinated puts one at a lower risk of getting the virus, but it is also an act of consideration and puts everybody else around them at ease,” says Ms Tun.

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Amidst the restrictions and vaccination, it not only takes an individual but also requires the effort of everyone to combat the virus. 

“I believe that if everybody did their part to maintain safe distancing measures and [keep] themselves clean, the virus will definitely be combatted,” says Ms Tun.