The transmission of COVID-19 in the community is still ongoing, as can be seen from the reports of new cases every dayJakarta (ANTARA) - The strategy to administer COVID-19 vaccines to at least 70 percent of the total population must continue to be implemented in all regions, including those experiencing a decline in cases, the ITAGI stated.
"The pandemic has not yet been declared over either by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the head of state," Chairperson of the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) Prof. Sri Rezeki explained here on Saturday.
In Indonesia, two emergency statuses have been set by the government related to the pandemic: Presidential Decree No. 11 of 2020 on COVID-19 determination as a public health emergency and Presidential Decree No. 12 of 2020 on the transmission of COVID-19 as a national disaster.
These two policies were adopted by the Indonesian government by referring to WHO's declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic and the Public Health Emergency International Concern (PHEIC) since January 30, 2020.
Hence, Rezeki stated that the vaccination target of covering at least 70 percent of the population must continue to be bolstered.
Based on the Health Ministry's data on Friday (October 7), the first vaccination dose has been administered to 204.69 million people, or 87.23 percent, while the second dose was given to 171.31 million people , or 73 percent.
Meanwhile, the number of booster dose recipients only reached 64 million people, or 27.28 percent, of the total targeted population reaching 234.66 million people.
Furthermore, Rezeki said most regions in Indonesia have shown a declining trend in the number of COVID-19 cases, especially in cities and districts on the islands of Java and Bali where the population mostly lives.
"The transmission of COVID-19 in the community is still ongoing, as can be seen from the reports of new cases every day," she stated.
The ITAGI noted that booster vaccination must continue to be conducted to provide optimal protection to the public from the risk of COVID-19 infection.
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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu T
Editor: Sri Haryati
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