JAKARTA – Currently, more than 1 million health workers have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Indonesian Government encourages all health workers who are yet to be vaccinated to participate in this vaccination program. Because, health workers are those who are in direct contact with Covid-19 patients in hospitals and they are vulnerable to transmission.
“Vaccinations will protect them and will prevent transmission between patients and healthcare workers,” Spokesperson for Covid-19 Task Force giving a statement in International Press Briefing at Jakarta Presidential Palace as broadcast on YouTube Sekretariat Presiden, Thursday (11/2/2021).
The vaccination will protect them and will prevent the transmission between patient and the health workers. The government is fully committed to supporting health workers in any way to ease the burdens they face in daily basis.
Besides, government is doing its best to obtain COVID-19 vaccine for the public. As we know, the current vaccine we have obtained is Sinovac which previously had age-restrictions for the users. However, looking at the towering death toll caused by this Pandemic, the elderly population are being considered as a priority for the vaccination program.
To response the issue, National Agency of Drug and Food Control or Badan POM, has discuss with various stake holders on February 5th 2021. And Badan POM issued the Emergency Use of Authorization (EUA) for Sinovac vaccine toward the population of ages 60 and above. The elderly Will receive 2 doses injections given in 28 days interval. For this phase, priority will will be given toward elderly health workers, whose age are 60 years and above.
Other than vaccination for elderly, government also preparing second stage vaccination for public official. For this stage PT Biofarma, Will start the production of Sinovac vaccine. “Hopefully, Indonesia Will have sufficient supply independently and Will ready to command the next stage of vaccine, after vaccination program for health workers has ended,” Wiku explained.
Jakarta, 11 Februari 2021
Task Force Covid-19 Public Communication Team