Gov’t to Press Ahead With COVID-19 Vaccination During Ramadan

Drive thru COVID-19 vaccination. (Photo: PR of Cabinet Secretariat)

The Government has announced it will continue COVID-19 vaccination stage in the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has previously issued fatwa number 13 of 2021 on COVID-19 Vaccination Status while Fasting which states that the vaccination does not break the fast and Muslims who are fasting can still get their vaccine jab.

“(Based on) the fatwa, the MUI has recommended the Government to carry out vaccination in Ramadan to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Vaccination will be done in Ramadan by considering the (health) condition of Muslims who are fasting,” Spokesperson of COVID-19 Vaccination of Ministry of Health Siti Nadia Tarmizi said during a virtual press statement, Sunday (04/04).

Nadia also underscored that the vaccination for Muslims can be carried out in the afternoon while they are fasting, meaning that the vaccination does not nullify their fast.

“Actually, the function of fasting is to detoxify so fasting itself brings extraordinary benefits to our health. It means that although we are fasting, our body condition does not affect the vaccination,” she remarked, adding that the Government has no special preparation to carry out vaccination in Ramadan.

She also urged vaccination participants to have enough rest and food with balanced nutrition for their pre-dawn meal.

“As for the vaccination process, we will still carry out vaccination from morning until late afternoon and it may also be held in the evening at mosques as long as it does not obstruct prayers in Ramadan,” she said.

This year’s Ramadan is expected to start on 13 April. During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast every day from dawn to sunset. (PR of Ministry of Health/UN) (DH/EP)

The official website of Ministry of Health can be accessed through this link.