Meanwhile, the number of Indonesians who have received the second vaccine dose has reached 14,868,577, up 246,075 from the previous day, as per data released by the ministry here on Friday.
Under the first phase of the national vaccination program, which has been implemented since January 13, 2021, the government is targeting to inoculate 40,349,049 people. The program is prioritizing healthcare workers, public service officers, and the elderly.
Overall, the government is aiming to vaccinate 181.5 million citizens, or 70 percent of the country's population, in an effort to develop herd immunity against COVID-19.
Related news: Jakarta rolls out mobile ambulances to expand vaccination coverage
Meanwhile, professor of pulmonology and respiratory medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (UI), Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, has urged the public to not hesitate to take the CoronaVac vaccine developed by China's Sinovac even though it has not been recognized by Singapore.
According to Aditama, who is currently serving as the postgraduate director of Yarsi University, Singapore's decision to not include Sinovac in its vaccination list is a step that must be respected because each country has its own policies for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he expressed the hope that Singapore's decision would not affect the Indonesian public's opinion regarding the implementation of the vaccination program in Indonesia, which currently mostly uses Sinovac vaccines.
To tackle the latest surge in infections, the central government has instructed local governments to accelerate vaccinations.
The Jakarta administration has deployed mobile ambulances to expand the coverage of vaccinations in the capital city.
Related news: TNI chief adjudges public partaking in vaccination as health heroes
Translator: Indriani, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
