"I invite the MUI and all mass organizations, religious institutions, religious leaders, and community leaders to work hand-in-hand with the government in building awareness, readiness, and support for the entire community on the importance of vaccination against COVID-19," Amin stated at the closing of the MUI National Conference (Munas) in Jakarta on Friday.
The vice president remarked that the COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Indonesia in the near future, and vaccination is expected to be administered to the public in early 2021.
The government had never conducted a national vaccination program simultaneously and massively.
To this end, the vice president is optimistic that religious and community leaders as well as mass organizations would partake in the role of increasing public understanding of the importance of vaccination to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
“The COVID-19 vaccination program, on a massive scale in terms of number, area of distribution, and simultaneous implementation time, has never been conducted before, both in Indonesia and in other countries in history. This is a very crucial activity, and it will be implemented at the start of next year, "he expounded.
On the occasion, the vice president was vocal in lauding the MUI for participating with the government in verifying the clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Sinovac, China.
The MUI along with a team from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) conduct checks on the halal vaccine before arriving in Indonesia.
"I would like to commend the MUI, which has from the early stages, been actively working with related agencies to conduct an audit process regarding the halal vaccine for COVID-19," he stated.
Speaking in connection with the halal fatwa on the COVID-19 vaccine, the vice president urged the MUI to work quickly in issuing the fatwa and not hamper the Government's vaccination program.
"I also request that the MUI stipulation or fatwa regarding the halal or permissible use of the COVID-19 vaccine be published before the vaccine is distributed and before vaccination is conducted," he added. Related news: W Java focuses on raising awareness ahead of COVID-19 vaccination
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Fransiska N, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
