"Many of the companies, entrepreneurs said, 'Sir, can we implement self-funded vaccination?' We are going to take a decision on this," the head of state noted at the State Palace here on Thursday at the opening of the Kompas100 CEO Forum 2021.
"Why? This is because we need to accelerate (the vaccination program). (We) need (to have) as many (people) as possible (to be vaccinated). Moreover, the costs are borne by companies, why not?" Jokowi noted in his opening remarks broadcast via video teleconference.
The head of state highlighted the need for the self-paid or self-funded COVID-19 vaccination mechanism to be well-prepared.
The government has begun implementing the COVID-19 vaccination program and is currently attempting to expedite it in order to control the transmission of the coronavirus disease.
Jokowi pointed out that the country had some 30 thousand vaccinators, around 10 thousand 'puskesmas' or community health centers, and three thousand hospitals to implement the program.
If one vaccination officer can inoculate 30 people daily, then in a day, nearly one million people can be vaccinated, he remarked.
"This is a huge number. This is our strength here. Other countries do not have 'puskesmas', but we do, and also immunize our children every year," he stated.
Related news: COVID-19 vaccination major effort to make nation pandemic-free: Jokowi
"This is why I have said that actually in less than a year, we should be able to complete vaccination because we can calculate the figure," he remarked.
The government plans to vaccinate 181.5 million people to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.
The first batch of vaccinations is being conducted from January to April 2021, with the target of 1.3 million health workers in 34 provinces, 17.4 million public officials, and 21.5 million elderly citizens.
The second batch of vaccinations will be conducted from April 2021 to March 2022, with a target of 63.9 million people in areas with high risk of transmission and 77.4 million other community members by applying a cluster approach and based on vaccine availability.
The government has confirmed orders for 329.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines from several vaccine manufacturers, including the Chinese pharmaceutical company, Sinovac; US-Canadian vaccine manufacturer Novavax; British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca; and the German and US pharmaceutical company Pfizer BioNTech. Related news: Govt targets supplying non-subsidized vaccines to 75 million people
Translator: Desca LN, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
