The vaccination drive for university students took place at Bulungan Sports Centre, South Jakarta, and was reviewed by the Indonesian Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
Chief of Polri's Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) Commissioner General Agus Andrianto lauded the students for supporting the national vaccination drive, which is part of efforts to achieve herd immunity and control a spike in COVID-19 infections.
"I hope this synergy could be better in the future and it shall be an example for students in other regions, as (we hope that) the government's target of one million, even two million vaccinations a day (can be reached) to achieve herd immunity," Andrianto remarked.
Polri chief Prabowo provided 1,600 doses of the Sinovac vaccine for the mass vaccination drive hosted by TNI-Polri in collaboration with BEM and campuses in Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), he added.
Students' participation in the national vaccination drive exhibited their awareness and concern for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, Andrianto said.
He further said university students are the future of the nation, and as an "iron stock", their knowledge, ability, and skill are expected to complement their role as agents of change.
Two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia has affected not only public health, but various other aspects, including the economy, as well, he noted.
"The government has taken strategic steps to handle COVID-19 and economic recovery; their implementation needs coordination, collaboration, communication, and cooperation from all sides, including the government, media, communities, business (community), and academics," Andrianto said.
He asked students to not hesitate to take vaccines secured by the government and expressed the hope that they would also take part in educating the public about health protocols and vaccinations.
"Students are the important part to support government efforts to educate the public on COVID-19 health protocols, the national vaccination program, and to contribute (to their community) during the emergency PPKM and micro-PPKM period in their respective places," Andrianto said.
He also asked vaccinated students to continue adhering to the health protocols by using double masks, washing hands frequently, practicing social distancing, avoiding crowds, and limiting mobility.
"Let us be cooperative in supporting the government and the police in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic by actively participating in the vaccination program. This country needs support from society, particularly from the youth and the students," he stated.
Thirty BEM alliances and student organizations participated in the vaccination drive, including BEM Nusantara, BEM Seluruh Indonesia (Bemsi), Indonesian Muhammadiyah Universities BEM (PTMI), State Islamic Universities BEM (PTKIN), Islamic Universities BEM (PTAI), Informatics and National Students Union (Permikomnas), and Indonesian National Activists and University Students Alliance (Aman Indonesia).
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Translator: Laily R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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