Jakarta (ANTARA) - The vaccination program to be implemented by the government can lower and also end the transmission of COVID-19 in Indonesia, Dr. Daeng M. Faqih, Chairman of Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors' Association (IDI), stated.

"This vaccination program offers huge hope for us all, not only for healthcare workers but also for all people. Vaccine is our biggest tool to reduce as low as possible and also stop the transmission of COVID-19," he stated during a press conference at the PB IDI office, monitored online here on Monday.

The ongoing intervention efforts to reduce the cases of COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia by implementing health protocols are deemed to not be sufficiently effective since the daily confirmed cases have continued to increase by the day, he pointed out.

Faqih attributed the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia to the fact that the Indonesian people had not implemented health protocols in a strict and disciplined manner.

Hence, the vaccination program is another effort expected to be more effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia that continue to increase.

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The effectiveness of vaccines in suppressing the transmission of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia undoubtedly depends on how successfully the vaccination program is implemented in Indonesia, according to Faqih.

The vaccination program can be successful if all Indonesians are willing to actively participate in COVID-19 vaccination to form herd immunity.

Herd immunity against the SARS CoV 2 virus that causes COVID-19 can be obtained as long as 60 to 70 percent of Indonesia's population has immunity to fight the virus.

Doctors, who are members of IDI, are ready to be vaccinated at the first opportunity, as they are working in the forefront in the fight against COVID-19.

The government has prioritized COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers, as they are classified as vulnerable to being infected with COVID-19.

Faqih emphasized that IDI doctors are ready to be vaccinated and urged the public to not hesitate to participate in the vaccination program implemented by the government. (INE)

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Translator: Aditya R, Fardah
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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