Jakarta (ANTARA) - Educating pregnant women about the COVID-19 vaccine and its benefits is still proving a challenge amid efforts to expedite vaccination coverage, spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccinations for the Health Ministry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, has said.

"Some pregnant women refuse to receive vaccination. This is our challenge in administering vaccinations," Tarmizi informed on Wednesday.

Based on data from the Health Ministry, just 30 thousand pregnant women have received the COVID-19 jab so far, she noted.

The Indonesian government has allotted 11 brands of vaccines for the community to build herd immunity, with pregnant women included in the priority group for vaccinations, she said.

The reason for the low number of vaccinated pregnant women is that many women are rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine and many families are not allowing pregnant women to get vaccinated, she added.

This vaccine hesitance has emerged from a lack of information and belief in the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, she explained.

"We need to know is it true that there are many pregnant women who have not received vaccinations or who are delaying vaccination till after giving birth," Tarmizi noted.

Unfortunately, they are also refusing vaccinations for hepatitis, HIV, and syphilis, she added.

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Therefore, the government has begun to take a structured approach by collaborating with ministries and institutions, including organizations that are close to the community, to disseminate information and strengthen communication systems to build public understanding on the importance of vaccination, Tarmizi disclosed.

She said she hopes that the socialization effort would help prevent maternal deaths from COVID-19 and other diseases. Thus, families will not face unexpected accidents and will be better able to respond to hoaxes, she added.

"This action includes the involvement of Communications and Informatics Service at the sub-district level in disseminating vaccination (information) even though it seems that most people are familiar with the COVID-19 vaccination," she remarked.

Related news: Spokesperson outlines criteria for pregnant women to be vaccinated






Translator: Hreeloita D S, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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