Right now, our concern is to complete the vaccinations of teachers and students
Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) - The provincial government in Bangka Belitung Islands has said it is currently focusing on vaccinating teachers and students against COVID-19 to increase their immunity, with the start of face-to-face learning.

"Right now, our concern is to complete the vaccinations of teachers and students," Deputy Governor of Bangka Belitung Islands Abdul Fatah said here on Saturday.

Currently, face-to-face learning activities have begun in areas with level 3 and 2 public activity restrictions (PPKM) in the province, following the issuance of the joint decree by four ministers — Education and Culture Minister, Religious Affairs Minister, Health Minister, and Home Affairs Minister — regarding Guidelines for the Implementation of limited Face-to-face Learning, he informed.

"I ask that teachers who have not been vaccinated should not do face-to-face learning because there is the potential for an increase in COVID-19 cases within the school environment," Fatah said.

According to him, to optimize the vaccination program, the provincial government will soon build a special vaccination post for teaching staff and students in schools.

"Currently, face-to-face learning has been postponed in Bangka Regency, which is still on level 4 public activity restrictions, also Tanjung Pandang sub-district and Sijuk sub-district because the Delta variant of COVID-19 was found in the two sub-districts," he said.

Secretary of Bangka Belitung Islands COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Mikron Antariksa, informed that currently, the highest complete vaccination rate is among health workers, which has reached 108.42 percent of the target, and public service officers, which has reached 81.11 percent of the target.

"The third (or booster) dose of the vaccine specially administered to health workers has only reached 48.21 percent of the target in Bangka Belitung Islands province," he disclosed.

In a bid to boost immunity against the COVID-19 virus, the Indonesian government started a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021. President Jokowi was the first recipient of the vaccine under the program.

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Translator: Aprionis, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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