Ladies and gentlemen in Central Maluku District. This morning, I observed the vaccination (of people) here. Alhamdullah (Thank God), it ran smoothly, and its management is good.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) bore witness to the COVID-19 vaccination of people in Central Maluku District on Thursday.

"Ladies and gentlemen in Central Maluku District. This morning, I observed the vaccination (of people) here. Alhamdullah (Thank God), it ran smoothly, and its management is good," President Jokowi remarked at the residence of King Hitu in Central Maluku District, Maluku Province.

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Maluku Governor Murad Ismail, and other relevant officials accompanied the head of state during the visit.

"We are optimistic that it (the vaccination) would continue until we achieve our set target," he remarked.

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Some 70 percent of Indonesia’s population should be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to build herd immunity, the president stated.

"What does it mean? COVID-19 may not come again and will not spread from one person to another. Hence, we can stop it," he affirmed.

Jokowi stated that it was long way until all Indonesian citizens are vaccinated.

"Our target is the end of this year. Insya Allah (God willing), they all will have received vaccination if the vaccination program runs as planned. As I have seen, (the vaccination of residents) at the port, Leimena hospital, and here ran well," the president noted.

Related news: Jokowi reviews vaccine distribution, inoculation campaign in N Maluku

The head of state further expressed gratitude to all healthcare workers and vaccinators for their hard work to vaccinate the people against COVID-19 every day.

"I hope this pandemic would soon be over and the national, regional, and provincial economies would recover, so we can continue work as usual in our daily lives. I thank the ladies and gentlemen for their support and motivation to receive the vaccine," he stated.

The head of state further inaugurated the Dr J. Leimena General Hospital, the first of its kind in eastern Indonesia, and observed the mass vaccination of interfaith figures, teachers, and public service officers. (INE)

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Translator: Desca Lidya N/Suharto
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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