From the beginning, the Indonesian government has carried out activities required to obtain COVID-19 vaccines, through the bilateral and multilateral track, to protect Indonesians from the threat of the COVID-19 virus ahead of other nations.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has received its 157th vaccine delivery comprising 3,526,095 Pfizer doses, which are included in the 44 million Pfizer doses delivered through two mechanisms, namely direct purchase and donations, an official informed on Monday.



"Today, Indonesia received 3,526,095 doses of the Pfizer vaccine that were donated by America through COVAX (facility)," Usman Kansong, Director General of Information and Public Communication at the Communication and Informatics Ministry, said.



He said in a statement here on Monday, that the total number of vaccines arriving so far in Indonesia, both in raw and complete form, had reached 413,630,105.



This is proof of the government's commitment to securing vaccine stocks for the sake of the national vaccination program, he remarked.

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"From the beginning, the Indonesian government has carried out activities required to obtain COVID-19 vaccines, through the bilateral and multilateral track, to protect Indonesians from the threat of the COVID-19 virus ahead of other nations," he affirmed.



He assured that COVID-19 vaccine stocks in Indonesia are within the safe category and enough to fulfill demand.



The Indonesian government continues to secure vaccines and accelerate their administration to people who have not received them, Kansong said.



To this end, the public is requested to immediately get vaccinated in order to remain protected from COVID-19 and reduce the risk of severe disease, he added.


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This request is being made because there are many people who are delaying getting vaccinated because they prefer certain brands, he said.



This phenomenon has hindered the government's efforts for controlling COVID-19 cases and accelerating vaccinations, he added.



Kansong asserted that all COVID-19 vaccines that have been distributed in Indonesia have been permitted by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM).



There are eleven types of COVID-19 vaccines that have received emergency utilization permits, he said.



Hence, the government is urging people to not be picky about vaccine brands because all brands of vaccines that the government is providing are the same in terms of safety and efficacy, he added.



"The prevalence of vaccine brands does not mean the people can choose to be administered with certain brands. Immediately vaccinate to protect yourself, family, and the people close to you," he urged.


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Meanwhile, in addition to pushing vaccinations to remote and outer regions, the vaccination scope will also be expanded in the near future, he informed.



The vaccination program for children aged 6 to 11 years will begin at the end of 2021, he said.



"Once the program to target this demographic begins, then our children will become more protected from COVID-19 threat, including during limited face-to-face learning," Kansong added.


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Translator: Livia K, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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