Our calculations are that at the end of December, maybe 59 percent of us can receive the vaccine twice and 80 percent have received the first vaccineJakarta (ANTARA) - Allocation of the COVID-19 booster vaccine for citizens should take into account the state of global vaccination equality, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
"Regarding the booster vaccine, we have spoken with the 'Indonesia Technical Advisory Group on Immunization' (ITAGI), and we have also seen comparisons with other countries looking forward to be given a booster," he noted here on Monday.
Sadikin pointed to the issue of COVID-19 vaccine inequity in the world being very high, considering that several countries had not received the first dose of vaccine.
It is necessary to consider the global dynamics in which it was mutually agreed upon that the booster vaccine should solely be administered if at least 50 percent of the country's population had received the second or complete dose of vaccination, Sadikin affirmed.
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"All countries that started the booster had taken the step after 50 percent of the population (received the vaccine) twice," he affirmed.
In Indonesia, it was estimated that the goal of administering complete vaccination to 50 percent of the population would be realized in December 2021.
"Our calculations are that at the end of December, maybe 59 percent of us can receive the vaccine twice and 80 percent have received the first vaccine," he stated.
The minister deemed that the momentum was the ideal time for Indonesia to start allocating booster vaccinations to the general public.
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"We estimate it will occur in December because if it is too soon, we will be seen as a country that does not show good faith for equal rights to vaccines," he stated.
The minister noted that the booster vaccine will be administered once to the beneficiaries since based on the analysis, one injection of booster vaccine has a major impact on the antibody titers.
Sadikin remarked that top priorities for the booster vaccine are the elderly group and the community that received contribution assistance (PBI) related to the National Health Insurance organized by the Health Social Security Administration (BPJS).
"Indeed, future plans have been discussed with Mr President Joko Widodo. First, the priority is the elderly since they are at high risk. Second, what will be borne by the state is the PBI," he noted.
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Sadikin remarked that the affluent ones will be encouraged to pay for it instead.
"It will be made available, and you can choose which (vaccine)," he noted.
The minister confirmed that clinical trials were underway for the booster vaccine that involved universities. It was being conducted to reach a decision on whether to use the same vaccine (homologous) or mixed (heterologous), he remarked.
"Hence, it is expected that by the end of December 2021, (the vaccine) can be completed. Thus, for example, Sinovac, Sinovac, Sinovac, compared to Sinovac, Sinovac, Astrazeneca as compared to Sinovac, Sinovac, Pfizer," he noted while citing examples of the same series of vaccine and the mixed ones.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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