Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has again received a vaccine batch of 274,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccines in finished form. With this arrival, a total of around 240 million vaccine doses arrived in Indonesia in bulk and finished form, a top government official said.

The government has ensured the availability of safe COVID-19 vaccines and can support the acceleration of vaccination, with a target of two million people per day, Director General of Information and Public Communication of the Communication and Informatics Ministry Usman Kansong noted in a press statement on Wednesday.

The government is also working hard to bring in vaccines and immediately distribute them to all vaccination sites in Indonesia.

Kansong confirmed that the government will currently focus on pushing vaccinations for the elderly and youth groups. Only 26.43 percent of the elderly population had received the first dose, while 18.73 percent had been administered the second dose.

Related news: Marking Children's Day 2021 by encouraging COVID-19 vaccination

He deemed vaccination of the elderly group as being important since this group had a fairly high mortality rate after contracting COVID-19.

Meanwhile, 11.83 percent of the youngsters had received the first dose, while 8.12 percent had been given the second dose.

"Vaccination for members of the community in the age group of 12-17 years should also be expedited to support the safe implementation of limited face-to-face learning," according to Kansong.

He also reminded that apart from vaccination, wearing masks, maintaining distance, diligently washing hands, and strengthening 3T or testing, tracing and treatment, will help to accelerate health recovery and boost productivity to surmount the pandemic.

"Let us continue to remain disciplined in wearing masks. For those who have not been vaccinated, get vaccinated immediately. Once you have done so, invite your parents, family, relatives, and people in the surrounding areas to get vaccinated," he added.


Related news: COVID-19: Nearly seven thousand senior citizens in Aceh vaccinated

Translator: Natisha A, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021