I want to ensure that the vaccine is evenly distributed up to the remote areas that are difficult to reach
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Wednesday reviewed the distribution of vaccines and the implementation of vaccinations in Kao Sub-district, North Halmahera District, North Maluku Province.

"Today, I visit Kao Sub-district in North Halmahera District in North Maluku Province. Why did I come here? I want to ensure that the vaccine is evenly distributed up to the remote areas that are difficult to reach," Jokowi, accompanied by State Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, stated.

The first phase of vaccination was started for healthcare workers, farmers, and market traders in Kao District whose population is less than 94,000 and is located some 112 kilometers from Sofifi, the capital of North Maluku. On the first day, the authorities administered 100 doses.

On the occasion, the head of state conversed with two vaccine recipients.

Based on data from the COVID-19 Task Force as of Tuesday (Mar 23), a total of 5,732,210 people have received the first dose, while 2,494,422 million people were administered the second dose.

The Indonesian government has set a target to vaccinate at least 181.5 million people to achieve a herd immunity against COVID-19.

Health Minister Budi Gunardi Sadikin stated in East Java on Tuesday that the ministry had secured a total of 360 million doses of vaccines for the nationwide implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

The government announced the country's first confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 2, 2020.

As of March 24, 2021, the nation has reported a total of 1,471,225 confirmed cases, 1,304,921 recoveries, and 39,865 deaths.

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Translator: Desca LN, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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