Preventive measures can be taken if we remain disciplined to follow the health protocols. Do not give up. The fight against COVID-19 is still far from over.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has made an earnest appeal to all Indonesians to take a lesson from the latest developments of the global COVID-19 pandemic, especially the new wave of infections in several countries.

"We must prevent similar incidents from occurring in Indonesia," the minister noted during a press conference at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Monday following arrival of the second shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine obtained under the COVAX multilateral scheme.

Retno echoed Indonesia’s concern over the new wave of COVID-19 infections and the emergence of new variants in several countries.

"We also see global vaccine requirements continuing to increase. Here and there, we see late shipments of the vaccine across the world," the minister pointed out.

In the wake of such developments, the Indonesian government has made unwavering, persistent efforts to ensure vaccine supplies to meet requirements. However, all sides must work together to combat the virus.

"Preventive measures can be taken if we remain disciplined to follow the health protocols. Do not give up. The fight against COVID-19 is still far from over," she remarked.

On Monday, Indonesia received 3.852 million ready-to-use COVID-19 vaccine doses developed by AstraZeneca, as part of the second shipment of vaccines under the COVAX multilateral scheme.

“Tonight, Indonesia has received 3,852,000 ready-to-use vaccine doses. The first shipment batch through the COVAX facility was received by Indonesia on March 3 (2021), with a total of 1.1 million doses,” the minister remarked.

With the receipt of the second batch of vaccines, the country procured 4,965,600 doses under the COVAX scheme.

Combined with the vaccines procured through bilateral cooperation, the number of vaccine doses received by Indonesia, so far, has reached 67,465,600.

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Translator: Aria Cindyara/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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