“I’ve had high cholesterol for about 10 years. I also went for an angioplasty (ballooning) before – for blocked arteries.

Because of my heart condition, before I went for the vaccination, I checked with the doctor at the polyclinic to ask if it was suitable for me. He assured me that it is suitable, and encouraged me to go for it. With that, I asked my daughter to help me to register for the vaccination.

I did my injections at the Community Club. The wait took about 5 to 10 minutes, and then after taking the jab, I waited half an hour to make sure everything was ok. I didn’t have noticeable side effects after the jabs.

Vaccination is important because I want to continue to be active. Every morning, I do a little exercise, then I go to the market to get food and groceries. I also want to be healthy enough to look after my 11-month-old grandson.

Because of my medical conditions, I think it’s even more important that I take the COVID-19 vaccination. I want to protect myself.”

– Mdm Chue Khuan Hou, 65, a grandma who has taken both doses of her COVID-19 vaccine despite suffering from a heart condition and high cholesterol

“I really miss interacting freely with passengers and my fellow colleagues. Life has not been the same since. There were many days where I have felt discouraged. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the transport industry tremendously. During Circuit Breaker, our ridership went down quite a bit. We also had to intensify various safety precautions for our passengers, such as disinfecting high-touch points and sanitising our buses twice a day.

That’s why I was happy to hear about the COVID-19 vaccines. I believe that the vaccine will protect myself, my loved ones and my passengers.

I was one of the first Bus Captains to sign up for the vaccination. I chose to go for the first available slot to instill confidence and encourage my fellow colleagues and union members to do the same. As a frontliner, it is also my duty to protect myself so I can protect the passengers I meet daily.

All of us have a role to play in the fight against COVID-19. Even though there is a small chance that a vaccinated person can still get infected, the risk of them falling very sick is greatly reduced!

We should all take the vaccination to protect ourselves and those around us!”

– Abdul Lathiff Mohamed Rafi, 48, Senior Bus Captain at SBS Transit and Ulu Pandan Bus Depot Union Leader

“I started experiencing health issues in 2008 when I found occasional blood clots in the stools. I went to the polyclinic, thinking it was piles. But they ended up finding a 2.5cm tumour in my colon, that I soon learnt was cancerous.

A biopsy also found that I had a rare skin cancer. It was very early stage cancer, so thankfully, I didn’t have to go through chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Through surgery, the doctors managed to remove the tumour in my colon.

When I was offered the COVID-19 vaccine, I said, ‘Sure, why not!’. The cancer was in remission so there were no issues taking the vaccine.

I’ve also been taking blood thinning medications for Chronic Venous Insufficiency, enlarged prostate glands and an irregular heartbeat. To make sure I could take the vaccines, I checked with the doctor at the vaccination centre, who gave me the go-ahead to do so.

The morning after my first jab, I felt well enough to go for my 3km brisk walk. I didn’t experience any issues with my second jab too.

My friends ask me if I’ve done my jab. Some say they prefer to wait and see. I assured one of them, ‘You are only 80 years old! My jogging kakis are 86 and 90 and they went through the jab with no issues! We are living examples.’

We always say that early diagnosis is the best treatment for cancer. The chance of recovery is higher. Likewise, for COVID-19 - if there is a way to prevent it, why not?"

– Teo Khee Huat, 78, colorectal and skin cancer survivor, Chairperson of the Singapore Cancer Society SemiColon Support Group

“I was initially rejected for the COVID-19 vaccine. Not because of my medical conditions, but because I’m allergic to 3 drugs – 2 are painkillers (Synflex and Ibuprofen), and the other is a high blood pressure medication (Lisinopril). When I take these drugs, I get a face rash.

However, I was still keen to get vaccinated to be protected from COVID-19.

I was hoping to be eligible despite taking medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol for the past 10 years. I also had 2nd stage Thymoma cancer but it is now in remission.

With that in mind, I thought that I should go to the vaccination centre to check with the nurse. After I went, they asked me if I had breathlessness when the allergy was triggered. I said no I didn’t, so they said ok, I can go for it.

After the jabs, I had some mild side effects – an arm ache for a couple of days. But everything has settled and I feel fine now.

No matter if you’re young or old, it’s still better to get vaccinated. We don’t know when this virus will hit us, maybe even from the person closest to you.

Let’s protect ourselves, our families and our friends.”

– Larry Ong, 68, retiree and cancer-survivor

“I’ve had kidney problems since 2017. There was nothing much else the doctor could do. I remember he said, ‘Your kidneys – gone already’. Now I go for dialysis three times a week at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) centre.

I’m also diabetic and I take my insulin medication twice a day - once in the morning, once at night.Despite my medical conditions, I took the second dose of my COVID-19 vaccination about 3 weeks ago. It was ok, just a small pinch when the nurse injected me.

Before going, I asked my kidney doctor at the NKF whether I should go. She knows my medical reports and history, and she said, ‘If you feel ok, you should go’.

When I was at the vaccination centre, the doctors checked again. They asked me ‘Everything ok, no allergy?’ I went through screening and they said I could take it.

Some people talk about getting fever from the vaccine. I tell my friends, ‘Don’t be scared, you can take a Panadol to feel better.’ It’s been good so far, I don’t have much problems.

Whenever my friends and I catch up at the kopitiam, we’d say, “since the Government give you free (vaccination), better go! Protect yourself!"

– Mohd Isa, 69, undergoes weekly dialysis due to kidney issues and has diabetes

“This pandemic has changed our lives drastically and almost everything we do here at PCF Sparkletots. While some semblance of normalcy has been restored, things are not as they were before.

This was one of my motivations to get vaccinated.

As the Executive Principal of the preschool centre, I’m in frequent contact with my staff, parents and students. I know that I’ve a social responsibility to protect those around me, especially the children who cannot be vaccinated. All of us have the responsibility to protect those who cannot take the vaccine due to age or certain medical conditions.

Even though I was a little apprehensive about taking the COVID-19 vaccine due to my hypertension, my fears were alleviated after I consulted with my doctor. He assured me that the vaccines were safe, which gave me the extra resolve to put my foot forward.

If someone tells me that they will ‘wait and see’ before taking the vaccine, I will ask them ‘Why wait and see, when you can take it now to protect yourself and your loved ones?’

If you are medically fit, take the COVID-19 vaccine. If not for yourself, do it for your loved ones.”

– Kathryn Goy, 54, Executive Principal of PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Fellow

“I’ve always suffered from frequent and chronic coughs. When the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved in Singapore, I had just been discharged from the hospital after recuperating from a lung infection.

Even then, I knew that I had to take the vaccine when it was offered to me. As I had existing health problems, my family was very worried about potential long-term side effects, and repeatedly asked me if I was sure about my decision.

Although I had some worries at the start, I asked myself, ‘Why am I afraid? I am doing this for my health, and for my family’s health. If I get COVID-19, my family may get it as well. I want to do it for them.’

As a healthcare worker, I also wanted to set a good example to show my patients that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. I knew that before I could take care of patients, I had to first take care of myself. When I informed the nurse at the vaccination centre of my medical conditions, she assured me that I was medically fit to take the vaccine.

After the vaccination, I only had mild side effects from the second dose which were easily and quickly managed. Having been assured through my experience, my family members also decided to get vaccinated. My husband, who has hypertension, just completed both doses of the vaccine.

Protect yourself, and your loved ones. I got my shot, get yours too!”

– Mastura Binti Mohamad, 54, Senior Patient Service Associate in Sengkang General Hospital