We need to achieve herd immunity across Indonesia. This should be realized together.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate urged the people to complete their COVID-19 vaccination and be ready to receive the booster shots being readied by the central government.

The minister expects citizens that have only received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine or those who had yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to actively fulfill this obligation and right.

"We need to achieve herd immunity across Indonesia. This should be realized together," Plate noted in his statement here on Saturday.

Speaking in connection with the booster shots, Plate emphasized that people, who had received the complete dose of COVID-19 vaccine, could prepare themselves to receive the booster vaccine that will be distributed in the near future.

Booster vaccine is no less important than the first and second doses, so that the body immunity of Indonesians could be bolstered amid the real potential threat of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

"This booster vaccination shot is necessary to bolster immunity protection. The government recommends the booster shot to be administered at least six months after the second dose was given," he affirmed.

The COVID-19 vaccine booster will be distributed to regions having achieved 70-percent vaccination coverage for the first dose of and 60-percent coverage for the second dose.

Recipients above the age of 18 will be prioritized.

"To this day, 244 districts or cities have fulfilled this criteria. Hence, we encourage and request all parties to support in order to expedite vaccination coverage in other regions to fulfill the existing criteria," he stated.

During the preparation period for provision of the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, coordination continues to be forged among ministries, government institutions, and other related parties.

Related news: Gov't continues vaccination as precautionary measure against Omicron

Moreover, the government awaits consideration from the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group of Immunization (ITAGI) to start provision of the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Along with expediting the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccination and preparing the vaccine booster, the government also continues vaccination for the elderly and children in the age bracket of six to 11 years.

"Child vaccination continues and is proceeding well. Parents, do not hesitate. Let us complete vaccination for Indonesian children," Plate remarked.

The minister also urged the people to be wary of the spread of hoaxes concerning COVID-19 amid increasing reports of Omicron cases.

In addition, they should be cautious of untrue stories on booster vaccination and child vaccination.

"The ministry certainly continues to make various efforts to ward off disinformation and hoaxes that emerge among members of the society," he affirmed.

"Coinciding with this effort, we expect the people to be wise in handling this. Make sure to obtain information from a credible source. Do not forward false news," he emphasized.
Related news: Indonesian government invites public to receive vaccine booster

Translator: Livia K, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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