Jakarta (ANTARA) - Third dose or booster vaccination program should be continued despite the fact that the number of COVID-19 cases has declined, Deputy Chief of Police Commissioner General Gatot Eddy Pramono said.

"The COVID-19 is not yet over. The people's awareness has led them to come here to receive booster vaccine," he noted.

"This will certainly prevent them from being infected by COVID-19," he said while monitoring the implementation of booster vaccination held by the National Traffic Police Department (Korlantas Polri) here Saturday.

The booster shots will be expanded to other regions to cover those who have not yet been vaccinated, he informed.

"The people's enthusiasm appears to be quite high," he said.

According to Pramono, the police, along with other health workers, will continue to cooperate to help people get protected from COVID-19.

"We will continue to provide the booster shots in other places to support the government's policy on public health," he emphasized.

The deputy chief expects that people who have yet to get vaccinated are urged to immediately visit the vaccination service center.

He also urged the people to make the booster vaccination a success, and continue to implement stringent health protocols during their indoor and outdoor activities.

Related news: Domestic travelers required to get booster shots: COVID-19 task force

Earlier, the government' Spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling Wiku Adisasmito has asked regional governments to improve their third or booster vaccination coverage.

"I urge all regional governments to ensure the availability of booster vaccines and immediately identify and encourage their residents, who have not yet received the booster vaccine," he stated.

During the press conference on developments of the COVID-19 handling in Indonesia, streamed online on Thursday, Adisasmito highlighted the importance of continued efforts to increase the coverage for booster vaccination.

One of the effective ways for encouraging the public to get the booster shots is making the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine be a required condition for having access to public facilities.

Related news: Some 56.8 million Indonesians administered COVID-19 booster shots

Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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