Gov’t Issues New Regulation on Vaccination Program

Ministry of Health issued new regulation on vaccination to expand the coverage of national vaccination program and accelerate the vaccination in the effort to achieve herd immunity and to curb COVID-19 pandemic.

Regulation of Minister of Health Number 18 of 2021 enacted by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin on 28 May 2021 was issued to amend Regulation of Minister of Health Number 10 of 2021 to adjust to the latest situation and condition.

Under the Regulation, the Ministry allows the national program COVID-19 vaccination to use the same brand or type of vaccine as the Gotong Royong vaccine as long as the type of vaccine for the national vaccination program is obtained from grants, donations, or gifts from both the community and other countries.

The aforementioned vaccine is not for sale and the ‘not for sale’ mark must be visible.

The Regulation also stated that adverse event following immunization that required further treatment and medicine will be handled at the health facilities according to medical indications and treatment protocols. As for the financing aspect, the budget for vaccination program for members of the National Health Insurance (JKN) to be borne by the JKN scheme, and the vaccination can be given at all health facilities nationwide.

On the other hand, vaccination for non-active members and non-members of JKN program will be funded by other financial schemes taken from the State Budget based on provisions of laws and regulations. They are entitled to free access to health care as Class III patients or higher class as long as they are willing to pay for the rest of the cost. (MINISTRY OF HEALTH PR/UN) (RAS/LW)