WHO has targeted all countries to at least reach 40-percent vaccination coverage by the end of 2021.
"Although we have surpassed the target set by WHO, we want to continue accelerating (vaccinations), especially in agglomeration areas, such as Greater Jakarta, Greater Solo, and Greater Bandung. Then, there are 10 provinces whose vaccination coverage is still low," Amin noted in Lampung, Wednesday.
To this end, the vice president lauded various parties involved in COVID-19 vaccinations in regions and encouraged regional governments to ramp up the pace of vaccinations for their residents.
"The first (dose of) vaccination has surpassed 70 percent (coverage). However, the second (dose) vaccination has only reached 51 percent. Actually, we have surpassed the WHO target of 40 percent (coverage), but we want it to be higher," Amin remarked.
In order to rev up COVID-19 vaccinations nationwide, the vice president noted that the government would involve various parties, especially the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), the private sector, higher education institutions, and civil society organizations (LSM).
"We will increase the number of vaccinators. The vaccine (stock) is sufficient. Hence, what is left is increasing the number of vaccinators," the vice president affirmed.
In a bid to boost immunity against COVID-19, the Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.
According to data provided by the Health Ministry, as of December 22, 2021, nearly 153,871,826 citizens had received their first COVID-19 shot, while 108,827,125 had been fully vaccinated against the virus.
The government is planning to commence administering the third dose or booster vaccine in January 2022.
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Translator: Fransiska Ninditya, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
