Vaccine refusal becomes a criminal offense: Singapore threatens imprisonment of up to 12 months

Singapore law changes: Citizens can go to jail for refusing vaccination

Following recent changes to the law, citizens in Singapore can face criminal prosecution and even imprisonment if they refuse to receive vaccinations ordered by the country’s health authorities.

Singapore has comprehensively reformed its 1976 Infectious Diseases Act (IDA) in 2023 and 2024. The amended Sections 47, 65, and 67 allow authorities to criminalize vaccination refusal under certain circumstances.

What does the law say?

Section 47 of the IDA empowers the Director-General of Health to require all unvaccinated people or groups to be vaccinated or receive prophylactic treatment within a specified timeframe in the event of an actual or suspected outbreak of a contagious disease. This order may relate to the implementation, the person concerned, and the circumstances of the vaccination. This obligation may also be imposed as a precautionary measure in the event of an imminent outbreak.

Section 51 of the IDA criminalizes violations of these orders. Anyone who fails to get vaccinated despite being advised to do so is committing an offense.

Section 65 IDA sets out the penalties:
– For the first offense: a fine of up to 10,000 SGD, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both
– For a repeat offense: a fine of up to 20,000 SGD, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both

Section 67 IDA completely exempts the authorities from any liability:
Neither the Director General nor any health officials or police officers involved can be held personally liable – even for adverse reactions resulting from the vaccinations ordered.

The concrete consequence: Citizens who refuse a government-mandated vaccination can be punished with imprisonment or a fine. At the same time, they have no way to hold the state or officials involved legally accountable for vaccine-related injuries.

Reactions in Singapore:

The tightening of the law has caused unrest in the country. Politician Derrick Sim of the People’s Power Party (PPP) expressed his criticism in a Facebook post on April 14:

“Sections 47, 65, and 67 of the Infection Protection Act have been amended and are in effect since 2023. Anyone who fails to get vaccinated during the next pandemic is committing an offense. This is criminalization. The first offense carries a penalty of six months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 – or both. Do you support this ridiculous law?”

Sim, who holds a degree in biotechnology and vaccine development, has also voiced his criticism at political rallies and on television.

Review: Singapore’s covid policy

Singapore had already attracted attention with its harsh measures during the covid pandemic. Many citizens were effectively forced to be vaccinated or face job loss. Clergy and members of the order were also required to be vaccinated in order to attend or celebrate religious services.

Despite documented vaccine side effects, public criticism of the measures was suppressed. Discussions about vaccine risks were actively censored by government authorities. People who publicly expressed doubts were discredited, socially isolated, or silenced – also with the help of pro-government media.

Conclusion: With the new legal framework, Singapore is creating a legal basis for mandatory vaccinations with prison sentences – while simultaneously granting immunity to the authorities. Citizens who insist on medical self-determination are thus placed in direct conflict with the state.

yogaesoteric
May 14, 2025