We are still trying to get people vaccinated as soon as possible. The initial objective is that all targets can be vaccinated by the end of this year, but in the middle of its execution, there are many challengesGunung Kidul (ANTARA) - The district government of Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, is seeking 100-percent COVID-19 vaccination coverage by the end of 2021.
According to the head of the Gunung Kidul Health Office, Dewi Irawaty, currently, the first dose coverage in the area has reached 83.28 percent or 495,625 of the total 595,145 targeted recipients, while the second dose coverage has reached 72.34 percent or 430,540 targets.
Meanwhile, the third dose coverage had reached 97.69 percent, or 2,956 of the 3,026 targeted recipients, Irawaty said in Gunung Kidul on Monday.
"We are still trying to get people vaccinated as soon as possible. The initial objective is that all targets can be vaccinated by the end of this year, but in the middle of its execution, there are many challenges. This is why the vaccination rate is yet to meet the target, but we are still trying to get all targets vaccinated," she explained.
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One of the factors hindering the progress of vaccinations is the small number of people seeking to get vaccinated, she said.
"Should we bring the COVID-19 vaccination service closer to the public (while) they are spread all over, it would result in little amount of vaccinated people," she added.
The weather has also been a problem, she said. When the office invites 500 people, only 150 can come due to the rainy season, she elaborated. Oftentimes, less than 100 targets respond to the call for vaccinations, she said.
Other challenges have included fear of vaccinations among the people and the large population of elderly targets, she added. Most of the elderly people in Gunung Kidul live alone because their children are outside the city, so it is difficult for them to access vaccination sites, Irawaty said.
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"Public's movement pattern is also an obstacle, as well as geographical conditions. (Those) are obstacles in the practice," she added.
The Health Office has been making efforts to meet the vaccination target, such as providing vaccination services at healthcare facilities and conducting mass vaccinations whenever possible, she said.
"We are also vaccinating from house to house, but the number of people who are getting vaccinated is also very small, especially in locations which are difficult (to access). Vaccination of 10 targets in one day is very good. We are also ensuring that there are sufficient personnel and logistics," she informed.
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Translator: Sutarmi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
