When the Family Got Double Trouble…
Even though their grandparents were fully cleared for COVID‑19 shots, Mr. Teo Kee Huat’s elderly parents decided to play it safe and postpone the vaccination until later this year. His mom, carrying a handful of pre‑existing conditions, and his dad, who insisted they clear every doctor’s appointment first, put the exploits on hold.
The Messy Twist of Fate
Life threw a curveball at the family when the father—now in his early eighties—tested positive on June 1 and was admitted to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). Five days later, still stunned, the mother—late seventies—received the same news and found herself in the same facility.
Mr. Teo, who spends his days in engineering, confided in The New Paper:
“First, I was freaking out about Dad, but the big shocker was that Mum also tested positive. It felt worse because she’s not as healthy as Dad. I never expected both of them to suddenly catch COVID at the same time.”
Family Fallout and Quarantine Drama
- Mr. Teo and his two brothers, who visited the parents that week, were quarantined; their tests came back negative.
- Dad’s condition fluctuated wildly—high fever, sudden drops in oxygen—leading to an ICU transfer a week after admission.
- Mum followed the same path after her oxygen levels “suddenly plunged.”
- Both parents eventually needed ventilators, forcing Mr. Teo to corner the ICU, watching helplessly on a screen while trying to keep his dad talking on the phone.
Moments of Sorrow and Regret
“When I got calls in the middle of the night from doctors saying Mum wasn’t doing well, I was terrified,” Mr. Teo shared. “Seeing her look so frail was heartbreaking, and I kept thinking I should have insisted on early vaccination. If I’d done that, maybe none of this would have happened.”
Lights at the End of the Tunnel
By mid‑June, Dad’s condition steadied enough to be moved to a general ward. Mum’s situation improved a bit later, in July, and she too joined the general line. Both seniors have since fully recovered from COVID‑19, though they still remain in Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s general ward for unrelated medical issues—details Mr. Teo chose not to disclose.
Final Takeaway
“It’s a real eye‑opener to see your loved ones go through something like this,” Mr. Teo said. “The only thing I can say is: don’t take COVID‑19 lightly.”
Convince
Why Our Elders Need to Get the COVID‑19 Shot Now
It’s simple: one shot can make the difference between a life‑long chill and a life‑end. If your mum or dad refuses the jab, they’re still risking far more pain than they’ll ever get from a simple injection.
Recent Snapshots from the Ministry of Health
- 36 seniors over 60 are severely ill – 31 have no or only partial vaccination.
- A 79‑year‑old man passed away on Wednesday with heart disease, COPD, and high blood pressure after a Covid bout.
- A 58‑year‑old woman died on Monday, even though she had no pre‑existing conditions – everything because she wasn’t vaccinated.
On Wednesday, 65 % of the whole population was fully vaccinated, and 78 % had received at least one dose.
What the Health Minister Says
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced, “Vaccination rates are climbing by about one percentage point per day.”
He added: By our National Day (July 31), roughly 70 % will have complete coverage. And by early September, it should hit 80 %. But seniors 70 + years old are still lagging behind.
Professor Teo Yik Ying’s Take
Professor Teo, dean of the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, told TNP that for the elderly, the vaccine cuts the risk of serious illness in half. “The older you are, the higher the stakes,” he said. “Getting vaccinated literally saves lives.”
Bottom Line: A Quick Shot Saves a Whole Lot More
Don’t let your grandpa or grandma think a vaccine is just another inconvenience. It’s a life‑saving move. Their health and their peace of mind depend on it.
