The COVID-19 booster vaccine will be available through two schemes from January 4, 2022Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian confirmed that the COVID-19 booster vaccine will be available nationwide to the general public from Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
"The COVID-19 booster vaccine will be available through two schemes from January 4, 2022," Karnavian stated after presiding over a coordination meeting on vaccination here on Friday.
President Joko Widodo had instructed the authority to offer the booster vaccine for the general public after earlier being offered solely to health workers on account of the emerging COVID-19 Omicron variant detected in several countries, including Indonesia, he said.
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Karnavian remarked that the government will offer the booster vaccines through two schemes: free booster vaccines offered to residents registered as beneficiary recipients and residents not eligible to receive free doses can purchase the vaccine at an affordable price.
"The government will announce the booster vaccine price later, but I affirm that the booster vaccine is ready to be offered on January 4, 2021," the minister noted.
Karnavian also confirmed that the ministry had issued a regulation to curb public activities during the Christmas and New Year holiday period and prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases after the period ends.
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"I have issued the ministerial instruction to follow up on resolutions agreed at the meeting with the president, ministers, the police and military chiefs, head of the intelligence agency, and the attorney general. The regulation allows social functions for only 50 persons and prohibits marches and fireworks performance during the period," Karnavian stated.
The regulation also directs city squares to be closed for the public from December 24, 2021, until January 2, 2022, while malls and restaurants are allowed to operate with maximum patrons at 75 percent of the establishments' capacity, he remarked.
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The minister instructed regional leaders and police and military officers to take mitigatory measures to prevent a sudden increase in crowds during the period.
"The government does not want another COVID-19 infection surge, and we must maintain the improved situation while expediting vaccination efforts," Karnavian stated.
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Translator: Jimmy Ayal, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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