Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said Jakarta has currently become one of the priority provinces to administer the third dose of vaccination, or booster shot, on account of the high COVID-19 transmission rate.

At the Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday, Patria noted that ever since it was implemented on January 12, 2022, a total of 164 thousand residents of Jakarta had received their third dose of vaccination.

He urged Jakartans, especially the elderly, that had received the primary vaccination dose to vaccinate themselves for the third time.

This booster vaccine is especially important for the elderly and adults, he affirmed.

When it comes to the vaccination demand, the central government guarantees the availability of vaccine for the third dose of vaccination for Jakarta's residents.

Related news: Booster vaccine to bolster primary vaccinations: health ministry

"What is certain is that the central government, through its Ministry of Health, ensures that the vaccine dose for the booster shot is being readied," he stated.

Earlier, Jakarta Health Office Head Widyastuti had recorded that the third dose vaccination coverage target for residents aged 18 years and above in the capital city had reached around eight million people.

"The booster vaccination is for people aged 18 years and above, with the elderly and residents with comorbidities being prioritized," she noted at the Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday, January 12.

Currently, vaccine distribution for the booster shot in Jakarta is being conducted gradually to achieve the target of eight million people.

Health facilities, including those managed by the military and police, also collaborate to support vaccination in addition to the Public Health Centers (Puskesmas).

Puskesmas at the sub-district level have conducted the third dose vaccination with limited quota and operational hours that differ from the other Puskesmas.

Related news: President Jokowi urges residents to get booster vaccine doses

Translator: Dewa Wiguna, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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