This has been undertaken several times, and we will continue to do this so that regions with empty vaccine stocks can be filled.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health is working to redistribute COVID-19 vaccines from regions with excess stocks to regions with low stocks.

COVID-19 vaccine stocks in Indonesia are currently pegged at around five million doses, pharmacy management and service director at the ministry, Dina Sintia Pamela, informed.

Some COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed to the central areas, while most have been allocated to several regions, she said while issuing an online press statement on Friday.

"Now, there are regions with faster vaccination rate, which makes their vaccine stocks to start to decline," she informed.

"However, there are regions that still have quite plentiful vaccine stocks since their rate is not too fast," she added.

Therefore, the ministry is making efforts to redistribute vaccine stocks from regions that still have a high supply to meet the vaccine demand in regions that have declining stocks.

"This has been undertaken several times, and we will continue to do this so that regions with empty vaccine stocks can be filled," Pamela said.

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According to data from vaksin.kemkes.go.id, as of Friday, COVID-19 vaccine stocks have run out in at least 15 districts or cities.

They comprise Bener Meriah district, West Nias district, Sawah Lunto city, Pringsewu district, Belitung district, Ciamis district, Barito Kuala district, and Hulu Sungai Tanah district.

They further include North Hulu Sungai district, Tanah Bumbu district, Raja Ampat district, Paniai district, Mimika district, Waropen district, and Dogiyai district.

Earlier, at an event here on Friday, the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) had estimated that Indonesia will still need COVID-19 vaccines until 2023.

ITAGI head Sri Rezeki said that as long as the pandemic status is not revoked, Indonesia will remain in a state of emergency.

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Translator: Devi Nindy S R, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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