The government ensures that vaccine availability for four clusters of Papua’s PON and Peparnas can meet the existing needs. Moreover, it has prepared health workers to support the vaccination program, so there is no reason for the public there to notJakarta (ANTARA) - The government is expediting the vaccination program in four clusters of the National Games (PON) XX and National Para Games (Peparnas) XVI in Papua.
“Vaccination is part of the state’s efforts to protect the people. Public health is always our priority, including for the events of PON and Peparnas this year,” Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate noted in a press statement here on Wednesday.
Plate highlighted that the government had constantly monitored the vaccination program in four clusters of PON and Peparnas in Papua that targets 70 percent of the total clusters by September 2021.
The government is also keen on vaccinating the community living in the vicinity of the venues once the PON is held, the minister remarked, adding that COVID-19 vaccination will be one of the pre-requisites for those keen on watching PON and Peparnas live.
“The government ensures that vaccine availability for four clusters of Papua’s PON and Peparnas can meet the existing needs. Moreover, it has prepared health workers to support the vaccination program, so there is no reason for the public there to not get vaccinated,” Plate stressed.
Vaccine is very critical to supporting the smooth running of the PON and Peparnas events, he stated, adding that vaccination was expected to help ensure the health of all stakeholders involved to prevent formation of new COVID-19 clusters.
“Vaccine is necessitated for boosting the immunity, protecting ourselves and our families, as well as for reducing severity of symptoms of COVID-19,” he noted.
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Plate remarked that the government had also urged the Regional Administration Coordinating Forum (Forkopimda), public figures, traditional figures, and religious figures to constantly appeal to the public to get vaccinated.
The COVID-19 vaccination program for PON and Peparnas covers Jayapura City, Jayapura District, Mimika District, and Merauke District.
Vaccination in Jayapura City targets 231,863 residents, reaching 47.9 percent of the first dose and 30.1 percent of the second dose, according to Papua’s Provincial Health Service.
Meanwhile, Jayapura District targets 87,226 residents, achieving 44.7 percent of the first dose and 28 percent of the second dose.
Vaccination in Mimika targets 172,185 residents, reaching 44.8 percent of the first dose and 30.2 percent for the second dose.
Lastly, vaccination in Merauke targets 124,856 residents, reaching 50.1 percent of the first dose and 32.3 percent of the second dose.
Related news: Papua needs extraordinary COVID effort ahead of PON: Prabowo
Translator: Natisha A, Juwita Trisna R
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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