The government will strive to bolster these achievements, including to areas that are difficult to reach. This effort will be supported by the local government as well as related stakeholders in societyJakarta (ANTARA) - Director-General of Information and Public Communication of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Usman Kansong, confirmed that the Indonesian government had received 680,100 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday through direct purchases.
"With the arrival of the 113th vaccine batch, the total number of vaccines from various brands that Indonesia had in both bulk and finished form reached 322,309,320 doses," Kansong noted through his statement received on Thursday.
The arrival of this vaccine batch is expected to help the government to expedite vaccination as a precautionary measure against a spike in COVID-19 cases during the Christmas and year-end holidays.
The government continues to strengthen vaccine availability to achieve the national vaccination target of vaccinating at least 70 percent of the population in an effort to achieve herd immunity.
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As of November 4, 2021, the data showed that 122,464,119 people had received the first dose of vaccine, or 58.8 percent of the vaccination target. Meanwhile, 76,191,677 people, or 36.58 percent out of the vaccination target, have received complete vaccinations.
"The government will strive to bolster these achievements, including to areas that are difficult to reach. This effort will be supported by the local government as well as related stakeholders in society," Kansong stated.
He also reminded that apart from protecting ourselves, vaccination is also effective in safeguarding the family and society.
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Hence, the government necessitates every citizen to get inoculated to meet the vaccination target and to create herd immunity, including vaccination for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, teenagers, pregnant women, and people with comorbidities.
Kansong later highlighted the importance of vaccination to reduce the severity of symptoms. However, the implementation of health protocols must also be maintained to avoid transmission.
In the wake of increased mobility that poses a risk of COVID-19 transmission ahead of the Christmas and year-end holidays, Kansong reminded the public to tighten health protocols.
"We urge the public to stay at home as much as possible. Please do not travel or go for a holiday during the Christmas and year-end holidays," he added.
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Translator: Arnidhya N, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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