On the day they were inoculated, the cops also took part in a blood donation program, Raja Ampat Police chief, Adjunct Sen.Coms. Andre J.W. Manuputty, informed.
The vaccination and blood donation drive was conducted through a collaboration between the Raja Ampat police precinct and the district's public hospital, he said.
The vaccine recipients included officers from the traffic, criminal investigation, and public service units, he said in a statement received by ANTARA here on Thursday.
Through the vaccination program, Raja Ampat police joined the national effort to create herd immunity and break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
The police officers also wanted to set an example and lay to rest any misgivings about the vaccination program among local residents, Manuputty said.
The Indonesian government has been striving to reduce the country's COVID-19 infection rate, with the Health Ministry working with the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) to carry out vaccinations and contact tracing at the grassroots level.
Collaborating with communities is also considered key to reducing the COVID-19 infection rate.
To curb infections, the government has enforced restrictions on public activity in the islands of Java and Bali since January 11, 2021.
It has also launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.
The Health Ministry revealed earlier that it would take 15 months to vaccinate around 181.5 million people under the national COVID-19 vaccination program.
Since January 26, 2021, Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate has exceeded one million cases.
To attain herd immunity and free the nation from the clutches of the lethal pandemic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has stressed on the need for successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population. (INE)
Related news: Over two million Indonesians vaccinated so far: task force
Related news: Indonesia's Army commences vaccination for 353,647 soldiers
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Ernes BK, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
