We aim to reach 100 percent (vaccination rate) within two weeks
Bandarlampung (ANTARA) - National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo highlighted the target to achieve the child vaccination rate of 100 percent within two weeks.

"We aim to reach 100 percent (vaccination rate) within two weeks," Prabowo noted after observing vaccinations for children and the elderly at the Graha Wangsa Building, here on Tuesday.

Prabowo explained that it was intended to vaccinate all children in Lampung, considering that some of them had entered school. It also aimed to serve as a precautionary measure against the new variant, Omicron, which had spread recently, he remarked.

Prabowo informed that over 400 in Jakarta were exposed to the Omicron virus, with a fast transmission, taking only five minutes.

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"Those who have been vaccinated are protected (and despite being infected, they would only show) mild symptoms. However, those who have not been vaccinated face different risks. Hence, we encourage people to get vaccinated and continue to maintain good (adherence to) health protocols," he affirmed.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo visited Lampung to observe vaccinations for the children and elderly.

Some 2,200 vaccine doses were readied for children and the elderly, while six thousand doses of vaccines were provided for the Lampung people, in general.

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The government has been expediting vaccination for all citizens as a measure to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby turning it to an endemic instead. As of December 14, 2021, the target of the national vaccination program for children in the age bracket of six to 11 years had been expanded.

On Monday, January 10, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted that Indonesia had advanced to fourth rank globally in terms of the number of citizens vaccinated. With 169 million people vaccinated, Indonesia managed to surpass Brazil that had inoculated 166 million people. However, Indonesia still ranked below the United States, with 246 million vaccinated citizens.

As of now, President Jokowi had announced that the third dose of vaccine, or booster vaccine, would be administered, starting on January 12. The vaccine would be free for everyone, though it would be prioritized for the elderly and vulnerable people.


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Translator: Dian H, Damiri, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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