Gov’t to Immediately Vaccinate Children Aged 12-17 Years Old

Following the issuance of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Sinovac vaccine for children aged 12-17 years old, the Government has announced it will vaccinate children of those particular ages immediately.

“We are also grateful that the BPOM (Indonesian Food and Drug Administration) has issued an emergency use authorization for the Sinovac vaccine, which is declared safe for use for children aged 12-17 years old, so that vaccination for children of those particular ages can kick off immediately,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (28/6).

President Jokowi also expressed appreciation for the achievement of 1.3 million vaccine jabs, last Saturday (26/6). It is faster than the initial target of one million vaccine jabs per day, which has been set by the Government to start in July 2021, he added.

“This achievement is thanks to the hard work and mutual cooperation of all elements, especially Ministry of Health, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), regional governments, State-Owned Enterprises, and private parties, as well as the people who are willing to get vaccinated,” he said.

Despite the achievement, the President ordered that all elements must continue to work hard so that the target of one million vaccine jabs per day can be maintained and even doubled.

“I remind you all that we must continue to work hard so that the target of one million vaccinations per day can be maintained until the end of July and we can double it by August 2021 to achieve two million doses per day,” he said.

Along with strong efforts on vaccinations, the President reiterated that the COVID-19 spread can only be suppressed through joint efforts.

For that reason, the President appealed to the people to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols.

“I asked you all, all of us, not to hesitate to get vaccinated and to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols (wearing face masks, maintaining a safe distance, washing hands). And, once again I remind you to stay at home unless you have an urgent need,” he said. (DND/UN) (FI/MUR)