"This afternoon, we witnessed the arrival of 21.2 million doses of Sinovac bulk vaccine," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, here on Tuesday.
The government will continue with vaccine procurement through various channels to ensure the availability of vaccines to help the nation meet its vaccination target quickly, he added.
He emphasized that the government always ensures the safety, quality, and efficacy for all types of vaccines it obtains.
Vaccines are being administered in Indonesia after an evaluation by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and at the recommendation of the Indonesia and Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI), the WHO, and experts, the minister said.
"People don't need to worry when they receive the vaccine," he added.
He said President Joko Widodo has called COVID-19 vaccinations a game-changer that would determine Indonesia's success in being free from the pandemic. To achieve herd immunity, the government needs to vaccinate around 208 million Indonesians.
The target has increased after the government added children aged 12 to 17 years, Hartarto explained. So far, 718 thousand children in the 12-17 age group have received the first vaccine dose, he informed. "The sooner the better," he remarked.
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After vaccinating health workers, public officials, and the elderly population, the government is currently working hard to vaccinate the general public and vulnerable people, the minister said.
As of July 26, 2021, the government has administered 64.13 million vaccines, consisting of 45.5 million first doses and 18.6 million second doses, he informed.
"We need to emphasize that vaccination is a government strategy to deal with the pandemic. Vaccination needs to be complemented by community discipline and it must be carried out together," said the minister.
He assured that the government continues to encourage the public to comply with the health protocols, which prescribe wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and washing hands.
The government is also committed to continuing to increase tracing and taking policies to extend restrictions on community activities (PPKM) until August 2, 2021, Hartarto said.
PPKM level 4 has been implemented in 95 districts/cities in 7 provinces in Java and Bali and in 45 districts/cities in 21 provinces outside Java and Bali.
Meanwhile, PPKM level 3 has been implemented in 33 districts/cities in 7 provinces in Java and Bali and in 276 districts/cities in 21 provinces outside Java and Bali, while PPKM level 2 has been enforced in 65 districts/cities in 17 provinces outside Java and Bali.
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Translator: Astrid Faidlatul Habibah, Katr
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
