This vaccine will make us stronger to face COVID-19.
Semarang, C Java (ANTARA) - National Defense Force (TNI) Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo witnessed the vaccination of military and police personnel against COVID-19 at the Ahmad Yani Airbase, Semarang, Central Java, Thursday.

The TNI chief affirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination was not aimed at making the body immune.

"This vaccine will make us stronger to face the COVID-19," he remarked.

The most effective weapon in the fight against COVID-19 is adherence to health protocols, including washing hands, maintaining social distancing, and wearing mask, he pointed out.

After being vaccinated against COVID-19, the military and police personnel must continue to perform their duties especially to ensure that health protocols are followed, he stated.

"(They) include (contact) tracers fielded in the community," he remarked.

Related news: Military readies 102 health facilities for COVID-19 vaccination

The Indonesian government claimed to have administered COVID-19 vaccinations to 4,705,245 people, including healthcare workers, public service officers, and senior citizens, as of Wednesday.

By Wednesday afternoon, the number of people receiving their first doses of vaccine rose by 236,297, and the number of recipients of the second dose climbed by 159,391 to reach 1,876,140, the Health Ministry noted in a report received on Wednesday.

Recipients of the first shots of the vaccine represent 10.66 percent of the target of 40,349,051 people, comprising healthcare workers, public service officers, and senior citizens, according to the government’s data.

The central government has set a target to vaccinate 181,554,465 people, or 70 percent of the total Indonesian population, to develop herd immunity against the coronavirus.

To achieve the target, the government is working relentlessly to boost the capacity of vaccination services. Related news: TNI personnel to partake in COVID-19 vaccination: military commander

Translator: IC Senjaya/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021