We use all of our resources, as everyone agrees that this pandemic is very likely to be endemic, similar to how all countries plan (to deal with it)
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati confirmed that 96.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to Indonesians and will be expedited to reach over 100 million doses this week.

“A total of 96.5 million vaccine doses have been given in Indonesia. According to the health minister, we are pursuing to reach above 100 million vaccinations this week," Indrawati noted during a meeting with Commission XI of the House of Representatives here on Monday.

Based on the covid19.go.id page, as of August 29, around 96.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were injected, comprising 61.65 million of the first dose and 34.85 million of the second injection.

The government is pushing to accelerate the vaccination program to reach 100 million doses this week, so that Indonesia will rank among countries, with vaccination doses above 100 million being administered.

Indrawati explained that vaccinations were accelerated to lower the potential for the pandemic to become endemic next year. The Indonesian government has also invited epidemiologists from Indonesia and foreign countries.

"We use all of our resources, as everyone agrees that this pandemic is very likely to be endemic, similar to how all countries plan (to deal with it)," she remarked.

The minister emphasized that the government will prioritize people over the age of 60, or those with comorbidities, to be vaccinated, as they are more susceptible to contracting the disease.

Children are also a priority for the government since they have to attend face-to-face schooling but yet also stay safe from COVID-19.

In addition, expediting vaccination aims to lower the impact of the pandemic on the economy, which last year had contracted by 3.2 percent globally, while international trade was recorded at minus 8.3 percent.

"Hence, this year is expected to be the year of rebound and recovery," she affirmed.

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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Sri Haryati
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