On behalf of the Banten provincial government, we are thankful for the vaccine quota given
Serang, Banten (ANTARA) - Banten, along with five other provinces in Java and Bali, will receive 4,500 Sinopharm vaccine doses from the central government for people with disabilities.

The vaccines were received by the Indonesian government as a grant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“On behalf of the Banten provincial government, we are thankful for the vaccine quota given. We will secure its implementation later," Banten Deputy Governor Andika Hazrumy stated after attending a virtual meeting with Presidential Expert Staff, Angki Yudistia, in Serang, Saturday.

Hazmury remarked that offering COVID-19 vaccination for people with disabilities reflects the responsibility to fulfill their rights and a way to protect them from the virus since people with disabilities also have the same Constitutional rights and legal standing as citizens, as stipulated in Law Number 8 of 2016 on People with Disabilities.

Hazmury believes this is in accordance with the issuance of the regulation on protection of people with disabilities -- Banten Province Regional Regulation Number 14 of 2019 -- as a formal source of law for the Banten provincial government to protect people with disabilities.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had also impacted people with disabilities economically as well as their health and social life.

Hence, the Banten provincial government has invited all ranks at the Center for People with Disabilities and the Social Welfare Institution (LKS) to help offer support for physical access and assistance required by people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"People with disabilities can be served at all health centers or vaccination centers according to the Health Minister's circular on accelerating the implementation of Covid-19 vaccination for older adults, people with disabilities, as well as education personnel," he noted.

Head of the Banten Province Social Office, Nurhana, noted that his side had suggested to vaccinate as many as 1,641 people with disabilities against COVID-19 in Banten Province.

"We will immediately coordinate with the government in districts and cities, so that we can execute this program as soon as possible before the vaccines expire in October," Nurhana emphasized.

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Translator: Mulyana, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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