Singapore’s Kids & COVID: Numbers, Vaccines, and a Dash of Humor
Since the pandemic hit the island, 17,699 youngsters under 12 have tested positive for COVID‑19, with 2,586 ending up in hospital beds. Meanwhile, 140,000 little ones have already received their first vaccine shot, says Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a quick Facebook update on Sunday, Jan 23.
Vaccines Rolling Out Like a Domino Show
Ong noted that about 6,000 kids get their jab each day—pretty much a steady domino effect of doses. This timing comes after Singapore’s Director of Medical Services, Kenneth Mak, warned on Friday that the 12‑ and under age group is beginning to dominate the pool of children admitted to hospitals for COVID.
In the Numbers
- Between Oct 1, 2021 and Jan 16, 2022, 14,380 kids under 12 tested positive.
- Only four of those had severe cases that required oxygen or ICU care.
Hospitals like KK Women’s & Children’s and the National University Hospital are reporting a rise in kids bringing in respiratory woes—both from COVID and other viruses—leading to more admissions.
Parents on the Fence? Let’s Decipher the Pros and Cons
Ong’s Facebook post also included a table weighing the benefits and risks of vaccinating kids. While no serious vaccine side‑effects have been confirmed locally, there’s a 1 in 1,000 chance of Multi‑System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS‑C) in kids two to eight weeks after a COVID infection.
For families, the message is clear: Vaccination can stave off the nasty illnesses that make kids spend nights in the hospital. Ong shared that parents often wrestle with the decision—you’re tempted to let them seek professional advice or just sit back and hope the kid chooses the healthier route.
Bottom Line: Keep the Jabs Coming, Keep the Hospital Beds Free
Kids who’ve been vaccinated are showing a lower rate of severe COVID cases, helping Singapore move toward a safer environment for young ones. As always, parents are free to weigh the pros and cons—but you might want to lean toward the side that keeps your little ones laughing, rather than grimacing from a virus across a hospital corridor.
