Not all of the regions within those agglomeration areas will receive (the Johnson & Johnson shots)
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will distribute 500 thousand doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to seven agglomeration areas in Java and Bali, spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccinations at the Health Ministry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, has informed.



"Not all of the regions within those agglomeration areas will receive (the Johnson & Johnson shots)," she said at the online 'Readiness Against New Variant Health Broadcast', accessed from here on Monday.


Indonesia received the 500 thousand doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine donated by the Government of the Netherlands earlier this month.


The government is currently considering which regions will be prioritized for vaccine distribution and ways to expedite vaccinations within those agglomeration areas, she added.


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There is a difference between the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the previous vaccines: the former can only be administered once to people over 18 years of age, Tarmizi said.



"We know that the efficacy of the vaccine is 67 percent and it will be used for people over 18 years of age. Much like what I have said, it will only be injected once, so it is different from the other vaccines that we had before," she elaborated.



On September 7, 2021, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) gave emergency-use authorization to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so the vaccine has been declared safe for use, Tarmizi noted.


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Since the BPOM has provided the authorization for the new vaccine, citizens must get vaccinated without delay in order to stay protected from COVID-19, she said.



"With this adequate availability of vaccine, then it is suggested that the citizens immediately register to be vaccinated. Please wait for the schedule in order to be vaccinated," she added.



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Translator: Hreeloita Shanti, Fadhli Ruhma
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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