Gov’t Speeds Up COVID-19 Vaccination for Elderly

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin delivers a statement after attending a Limited Cabinet Meeting on Friday (26/03) in Jakarta. Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung

The Government continues to intensify COVID-19 vaccination and expand vaccination coverage for the elderly who have higher risk to COVID-19.

“Regional heads and health workers should focus on providing vaccination to the elderly to minimize the hospital admission rate and mortality rate,” Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said after attending a Limited Cabinet Meeting on Friday (26/03) in Jakarta.

The Minister also appealed to the public to encourage elderly family members to join the vaccination program.

Budi said that if the targeted vaccination coverage for the elderly group can immediately be achieved, it will reduce the pressure on hospitals and health workers.

On that occasion, the Minister reported that the national vaccination coverage has achieved 10 million doses, with a daily injection rate of nearly 500,000. The rate of vaccination is expected to run in balance with the availability of vaccine supply.

The Minister also urged the public to continue to be disciplined in following health protocols. The people who have been vaccinated, he added, are still possible to catch the virus but the effects will not be severe.

“Therefore, we must continue to wear face masks, wash our hands, and keep a safe distance so that we do not have to worry about new strains,” the Minister said. (FID/UN) (RI/LW)