Gov’t to Intensify COVID-19 Vaccination in Three Provinces

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his administration to speed up COVID-19 vaccination in three provinces in the island of Java.

“We must pay attention to three provinces, namely West Java, Central Java and Banten. West Java vaccination rate is only 12 percent, Central Java 14 percent, and Banten 14 percent. We hope that the island of Java will soon achieve herd immunity in late August or mid-September at the latest,” the President said during an online Limited Cabinet Meeting in Jakarta, Friday (16/07).

The Government previously prioritized vaccination in capital Jakarta and the resort island of Bali. As of today, the vaccination rate in the areas has reached more than 70 percent.

The Government has also estimated that in August herd immunity will start to be achieved in Jakarta and Bali.

On that occasion the President also ordered Minister of Health to boost vaccine rollout by using all available vaccine stock and to re-check vaccine stock at state pharmaceutical company Bio Farma, Ministry of Health, and in the regions.

“We do not need to hold the vaccine stock. The stock should only be available at Bio Farma. Vaccine stock in other places must be used immediately. One of the keys to solving the problem is the speed of vaccination in line with the statement delivered by Director General of the WHO,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential secretariat /UN) (RI/EP)