The second dose works as a booster to ensure the immune system really develops an optimal memory response while fighting the COVID-19 virus again in the future
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Government spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling Wiku Adisasmito called on the government of 20 provinces in Indonesia to accelerate the achievement of the second dose COVID-19 vaccination target.

"The step that must be taken is monitoring the vaccination data in each district and city, including the vaccine dose stocks with the local Health Office, for well-planned vaccinations that prioritize vulnerable groups," Adisasmito stated as quoted from a written statement of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery here on Tuesday.

The 20 provinces that must promptly pursue the second dose vaccination target are Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta, Riau Islands, East Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, West Java, North Sumatra, Riau, West Nusa Tenggara, Banten, South Sumatra, Lampung, North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Maluku, and Papua.

Adisasmito noted that currently, 49 percent of the vaccination target recipients had not received the second dose vaccination. The pace of inoculation had also declined in February 2022 when in fact, vaccinations are crucial to prevent a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

"The second dose works as a booster to ensure the immune system really develops an optimal memory response while fighting the COVID-19 virus again in the future," he stated.

The spokesperson reminded that there should be no delay in taking the second-dose vaccine inoculation from the scheduled time. Those who have not received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for over six months since having taken the first dose must restart the vaccination process.

"In accordance with the recommendation from the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI), if the first dose has been administered for over six months and the second dose has not been given yet, then the vaccination (process) must be restarted from the first dose," he remarked.

To this end, he urged people to complete their vaccinations, so that the immune system works optimally.

The Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021, as part of the efforts to boost community immunity against COVID-19.

According to data provided by the Health Ministry, as of February 22, 2022, nearly 190,092,902 Indonesians have received their first COVID-19 jab, 141,806,330 have been fully vaccinated, and 8,974,957 have received the booster shot.

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Translator: Indra Arief, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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