Free vaccination is a basic human need and should not be removed even with VGR existence
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, has urged the government to ensure the rollout of individually-paid vaccines (Vaksin Gotong Royong or VGR) does not impinge on citizens' right to free vaccination.

Free vaccination is a basic human need amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she remarked.

"Free vaccination is a basic human need and should not be removed even with VGR existence," she urged in a press release made available here on Wednesday.

The House speaker said that the launch of self-paid vaccines should reflect the spirit of all elements in the nation to accelerate the government's vaccination program by expanding access for all levels of society that have not been reached by it.

The provision of VGR and free vaccines is meant to accelerate the national immunization program, she said. Vaccine supply for both programs should be available and easy to access, she added.

"The quicker we are with our vaccination program, the closer we are to reaching herd immunity," she said.

Maharani also asked the government to lay down regulations related to VGR procurement and quickly disseminate them to the public. This should include the information that VGR procurement will not involve the use of the state budget (APBN), she said.

"We need to simultaneously assert that VGR did not use our APBN nor our people's money. There was no intention of the government having a business deal in this circumstance," she explained.

She also appealed to the government to segregate health facilities and workers for VGR and free vaccines.

"These two programs are different with no affiliation," she asserted.

If they are affiliated, it should be in the spirit of accelerating vaccinations in the country, Maharani added.

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Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Resinta Suli
Editor: Sri Haryati
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