After the paramedics declared that they were eligible to be inoculated, they were then allowed to receive the vaccine jabSorong, W Papua (ANTARA) - At least 60 soldiers in Sorong city, West Papua received their second COVID-19 shot as part of efforts to prevent new infections and transmission of the coronavirus in the community.
The army personnel, stationed at the 181/PVT Sorong Regional Military Command, were inoculated at the Dr. Aryoko Army Hospital in Sorong on Wednesday.
Before receiving their second vaccine shot, they underwent a health check-up, the military command's health service unit officer, Lt.Col. Mugiharto, said.
"After the paramedics declared that they were eligible to be inoculated, they were then allowed to receive the vaccine jab," he informed.
“After that, medical workers observed them for 30 minutes to see whether the vaccine recipients had any complaints or suffered side-effects or not," he added.
Meanwhile, West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan said both the army and police personnel who were vaccinated had set a good example for local communities.
He appealed to community figures and district and city governments to help educate locals about the vaccination program and encourage them to register for it.
"I hope all elements in society at large will work together to make this second phase of the government's vaccination program successful," he remarked.
“In June this year, the vaccination program would enter the third phase and target residents aged 18 or above," Governor Mandacan said.
The Indonesian government has been striving to reduce the country's COVID-19 infection rate.
The Health Ministry is working with the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) to carry out vaccinations and contact tracing at the grassroots level.
In addition to working with the TNI and police, collaborating with communities is also being considered key to bringing down 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 is also conducting a nationwide vaccination program that commenced on January 13, 2021.
The Health Ministry revealed earlier that it would take 15 months to vaccinate around 181.5 million people under the 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 pandemic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has stressed on the need for successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Ernes BK, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
