We must expedite elderly vaccination because the achievement is still 40-50 percent, other regions even have a lower vaccination coverage
Makassar (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has emphasized that vaccinations for the elderly must be pursued since they are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission.



"We must expedite elderly vaccination because the achievement is still 40-50 percent, other regions even have a lower vaccination coverage," Sadikin said after reviewing mass COVID-19 vaccinations here on Tuesday.



The elderly are being prioritized for vaccination since many of them have comorbidities that may affect their health if they contract COVID-19, he explained.


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"The elderly group has the most fatal risk compared to children and adults. So, we must pursue vaccination for the elderly," the minister added.



While reviewing vaccinations, Minister Sadikin was accompanied by member of Commission IX House of Representatives, Aliyah Mustika Ilham, and businessman Chairul Tanjung.



During his working visit, he is also scheduled to visit the Cancer Hospital at the Center Point of Indonesia (CPI) and visit Dadi Special Hospital in Makassar, South Sulawesi.


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Meanwhile, acting head of the South Sulawesi Health Service, Dr. Arman Bausat, confirmed that vaccination coverage among the elderly remained low in the province, except in Tana Toraja district, where it had crossed 40 percent.



"Indeed, elderly vaccination coverage in other areas is still low, we must involve community leaders to get the elderly people to be vaccinated, including by educating their families," Bausat said.


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He further said that the Health Service will work with the National Police (Polri) and Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI) to increase vaccination coverage, especially in the outskirts and remote areas.



Based on data from the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPC-PEN), 18.01 percent or 135,794 people in the elderly age group had received the first dose and 11.96 percent or 90,136 people the second vaccine dose in South Sulawesi as of October 31, 2021.



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Translator: Nur Suhra, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021