Do not let them spend another money to receive COVID-19 booster vaccineJakarta (ANTARA) - People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo supports the government's plan to administer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, or the third dose vaccine, to people, though he expects them to be provided free of cost.
"This is especially for the elderly and fund assistance recipients (PBI) of the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan)," he noted in a press statement here on Wednesday.
"Do not let them spend further to receive the COVID-19 booster vaccine," he affirmed.
It was estimated that the two demographics, numbering around 83.1 million people, comprised the elderly, totalling 21.5 million, and non-elderly BPJS Kesehatan's PBI members, reaching 61.6 million people.
Soesatyo emphasized that the government should not saddle people with the burden of spending for a vaccine after the COVID-19 pandemic had reduced their economic activities and income.
In addition to providing free COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to the elderly and BPJS Kesehatan's PBI, the government should collaborate with various civil organizations to provide free vaccine booster shots for people.
For the first and second dose of vaccination, several civil organizations work along with the government to provide free vaccines, he highlighted.
Related news: Papua asks COVID-19 task force to help expedite vaccinations
If the government provides an opportunity for civil organizations to hold free COVID-19 booster vaccinations, then several people would welcome it.
"Indonesians' spirit of mutual assistance should not be doubted," he affirmed.
The COVID-19 Task Force reported that Indonesia had administered 280 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to various segments of society, thereby placing it in the fifth position among countries worldwide, with the most number of COVID-19 vaccines administered.
The first place is held by China, with 2.7 billion doses of vaccines, followed by India, with 1.46 billion; the United States, 508 million; and Brazil, 332 million.
Related news: Lampung's first dose coverage reaches 77.51%: health office
Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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