"This morning, thank Allah, we are together with artists, men of culture, actors, and musicians. (Those) from theaters, from traditional arts have all gathered here to be vaccinated," the president stated.
Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makariem, and Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan, among others.
"We are optimistic that all of them can be protected and are not exposed to COVID-19, so that they can conduct activities as usual," the head of state noted.
Jokowi also expressed optimism that increasingly more number of Indonesian people would be vaccinated in order to lower the transmission of COVID-19.
"We have to inform (the public) of the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic still exists and is real in our country. Hence, we must remember and remain vigilant, 'eling lan waspodo'," the president noted while quoting a Javanese proverb.
Related news: Indonesia reaches 10.8 million COVID-19 vaccinations
Jokowi urged the public to not become careless and to not underestimate the COVID-19 crisis.
"Do not let the current situation, where the curve is better, is decreasing, to increase again because we are careless and not vigilant," he urged.
Recipients of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are members of the Javanese theatre Bharata 'Wayang Orang', comedian Cak Lontong, musician Bimbim Slank, choreographer Hartati, singer Edo Kondologit, actor Nicholas Saputra, actor and director Slamet Rahardjo Djarot, and members of the musical group Bimbo.
Based on data from the COVID-19 Task Force as of Sunday (April 18), the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, totaling 10,828,419, had already been administered.
Meanwhile, a total of 5,910,921 people have received their second dose.
The government has set a target of vaccinating a total of 181.5 million people to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.
Indonesia has mostly relied on China's Sinovac vaccine to fight against the coronavirus disease. The country has also received 1.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX facility coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Related news: Other cities should emulate Medan's drive-through vaccination model
Translator: Desca L Natalia, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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