"It means the vaccine (shot) interval for all target groups is now three months, from initially six months after completing a primary vaccination series," Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Siti Nadia Tarmizi stated as confirmed here on Saturday.
Tarmizi remarked that the latest provision was regulated in Circular Number SR.02.06/11/1180/2022 on Adjustment for the Implementation of COVID-19 Booster Vaccination for the general public, issued on February 25, 2022.
According to the spokesperson, the provision has taken into account the recommendations of the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
"Protection for the community against COVID-19 should be increased, including by administering the booster shot," she affirmed.
Meanwhile, the procedure, place, flow, and recording of the COVID-19 vaccination still refer to Circular Number HK.02.02/11/252/2022.
The spokesperson appealed to people having met the criteria to get the booster shot at the earliest.
Tarmizi also urged people to not engage in the practice of "vaccine shopping" wherein they forgo vaccines that are not of their preferred brand.
Related news: 1.4 million residents of Jakarta still unvaccinated: Health Office
"The best vaccines are those that are available now," she stressed.
The Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021, as part of the efforts to boost the community's immunity against COVID-19. President Joko Widodo was the first vaccine recipient under the program.
According to data provided by the Health Ministry, as of February 26, 2022, nearly 190,672,288 Indonesians received their first COVID-19 jab, 143,774,691 have been fully vaccinated, and 9,809,490 have received the third or booster dose.
Related news: West Java Police Chief calls for accelerating vaccinations
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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