Gov’t Committed to Protecting COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Data

The Government has ensured it is committed to protecting the data of COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

“We need to emphasize that data security of vaccine recipients is protected by the Government,” spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccination Siti Nadia Tarmizi said in a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (04/01).

The data management, Nadia added, is carried out based on regulations in accordance with Decree of Minister of Communication and Informatics Number 253 of 2020.

Nadia added that the personal data is obtained in accordance with provisions of laws and regulations and is equipped with a security system as mandated by the provisions of laws and regulations.

The personal data cannot be used for purposes other than COVID-19 related matters, she added.

On that occasion, Nadia also explained the procedures of the registration and verification process that must be followed by COVID-19 vaccination participants.

In the first stage, the candidates of vaccination recipients will receive notification via SMS with the sender’s ID: PEDULICOVID, while in the second stage, the SMS recipients must re-register to inform their health status and choose a location and schedule for the vaccination.

The re-registration stage, she added, is very important to verify data on recipients of COVID-19 vaccination and in the verification process participants will have to answer a number of questions, including confirming their domicile, as well as simple screening for comorbidities suffered by the recipients.

“For areas with network constraints, the verification and registration process will be carried out by the sub-district COVID-19 Handling Task Force,” she explained.

Nadia expressed hope that the public will participate in the vaccination program, which will be carried out in the next 15 months.

She also appealed to the public to always follow strict health protocols including by wearing a face mask, keeping a safe distance and avoiding crowds, and washing hands.

For the record, the Government has previously announced it has sent notification short messages services to priority groups of vaccine recipients. (PR of Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery/PR of Ministry of Health/UN) (RI/EP)