Health Minister: Stay Vigilant, Disciplined in Observing Health Protocols

President Jokowi inspecting vaccination for artists and cultural practitioners accompanied by Minister of Health Budi G. Sadikin, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim, and Governor of Special Capital Region of Jakarta Anies Baswedan, Monday (19/04/2021) at the Indonesia National Gallery in Jakarta. (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin Monday (19/04) inspected vaccination for artists and cultural practitioners at the Indonesia National Gallery in Central Jakarta along with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

On that occasion, the Minister urged the public to remain disciplined in observing health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic as there are risks of a spike in cases.

“Always wear a mask, maintain a safe distance, and wash hands. The curve has declined. Do not let there be a third spike like what happened in other countries in Europe, Asia, and South America,” he said, while expressing hope that the participation of artists and cultural practitioners – who are public figures – can convince the public to also participate in getting vaccinated.

Approximately 500 artists and cultural practitioners from the cities of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi took part in the vaccination.

“We hope that with them being vaccinated, it can help convince those who watch them, especially senior citizens, that vaccination is safe,” the Minister added.

The Government, according to him, continues to strive to procure vaccine supplies from various sources to support the Government’s free vaccination program, adding that ready-to-use vaccine supplies from state-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma have been prepared for vaccination needs in April, while supplies for vaccination in the next month are still being prepared.

“The last delivery consisted of six million raw materials. Approximately 80 percent or 4.8 million (doses of ready-to-use vaccine) will be ready in one month, and then (the rest) in May,” he said, adding that Indonesia has four suppliers to secure vaccine supplies for domestic needs.

“There are (vaccines) from the People’s Republic of China, London, America, and Germany-America. Therefore, if there is an issue with one supplier, God willing, we can still obtain supplies from the others,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (DH/EP)