"It's more than 60 percent. This is already very good, it could be more than 60 percent," head of the Central Java Health Office, Yulianto Prabowo, informed in Semarang on Monday.
He said the vaccination rate in Central Java was positive news, though some sub-districts have recorded vaccination rates of below 40 percent, reflecting a disparity in vaccination coverage. He noted that more efforts need to be made in the sub-districts with low vaccination rates.
Districts with vaccination rates below 40-50 percent are Banjarnegara, Tegal, Purbalingga, Batang, Jepara, Wonosobo, Pemalang, Brebes, Grobogan, Pekalongan, Magelang, Kebumen, and Pati, he said.
The challenges to vaccinations in these sub-districts include lack of interest or cooperation from the public, a limited number of vaccinators, and a small number of health facilities offering vaccinations, he noted.
He also said that the regional government needs to commit more to address the issue. There are some groups with low interest or knowledge of vaccines, given the limited access, such as the elderly, he added.
"The elderly are indeed a bit slow (in terms of vaccination). Then there are also people with disabilities, pregnant women, people with comorbidities. The speed of these (groups' vaccination rate) is indeed unlike the others," he said.
Thus, a pick-up strategy must be implemented simultaneously from the level of districts or cities, including public health facilities, to the sub-districts, he added.
He said that the vaccination service base should be at a smaller level of communities, for example, at the levels of RWs, RTs, and villages. (INE)
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Wisnu Adhi N, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
