Gov’t to Boost COVID-19 Vaccination for Children

Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan makes a statement to the press after the Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Evaluation of Social Activities Restriction (PPKM), on Monday (10/01/2022), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta. (Photo: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/ Agung)

The Government continues to expand the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country, including through vaccination for children aged 6 – 11 years old.

According to the Government, vaccination for children is crucial in the implementation of face-to-face learning (PTM).

“The first dose of vaccine given for children have reached 36 percent rate in the islands of Java and Bali. From this outcome, we are not complacent and aim to further boost vaccination for children,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in a press statement after Limited Cabinet Meeting on the evaluation of social activities restrictions (PPKM) led by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (10/01).

Luhut also revealed that the scope of vaccination in the islands of Java and Bali keeps expanding, adding that it is due to the hard work from all ranks of the Government supported by the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri).

“The rate of first and second doses vaccination in the islands of Java and Bali continues to increase. It is due to the hard work paid by the Ministry of Health and TNI-Polri,” he said.

The Government, he added, also continues to boost vaccination, especially in regencies / cities with first dose vaccination rate that is still under 50 percent, adding that currently there are two regencies / cities in the islands of Java and Bali with the first dose rate is still under 50 percent.

“Regencies / cities with the rate of the first dose vaccination for public and senior citizens that is still under 50 percent will be prioritized and monitored in order to boost vaccination, such as regencies of Pamekasan, Sumenep, Bangkalan, and other areas,” he said, adding that the Government has also prepared for mitigation of potential rise in Omicron cases.

“The Government also continues to prepare measures by calling on all regions to prepare facilities of hospitals and isolation as early as possible in order to mitigate the unexpected. In addition, boosting testing and tracing is also the Government’s priority program in preventing the escalation of the case,” he said.

Nevertheless, Luhut emphasized that efforts to prevent (the spike) should be put forward, adding that these efforts cannot be made by only the Government alone, but also need participation of the people, especially in observing health protocols supported by PeduliLindungi app.

“Our health system is quite ready to deal with the new variant that threatens our life. However, preventive measures are the key to eliminating the threat and we must ensure a solid cooperation,” he said.

Cooperation and hard work of all elements, Luhut added, also plays an important role in the success of pandemic controlling in Indonesia, adding that in 178 days of the rising cases of COVID-19, the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia remain low.

“Obey the health protocol and we all work hard to obey what the Government has prepared for us. The Government ensures what is best for the people and the President has just underlined this,” he remarked. (TGH/UN) (AW/EP)