Minister Urges Regional Heads to Speed up Vaccination Drive Following Omicron Wave

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian urged regional heads to make breakthrough and innovation to speed up COVID-19 vaccination drive at regions.

The Minister also reminded regional heads to remain vigilant amidst surge in Omicron cases in Indonesia.

He mentioned four strategies that can be implemented by regional governments to speed up vaccination drive.

First, vaccination is conducted from the lowest administration level, such as hamlet and community unit (RW).

Second, regional governments are encouraged to establish vaccination centers at sport fields, malls, community centers, and other places that can be accessed easily by the public.

Third, proactively approach the public through mobile vaccination for remote areas or areas where the residents are most likely not going to vaccination centers on their own will.

Fourth, adopt door-to-door vaccination for the elderly who are vulnerable to COVID-19.

In addition to those strategies, the Minister also encouraged regional heads to adopt innovative approaches to speed up vaccination drive, for instance by distributing food staple packages, social assistance, or door prizes to those agree to take their shots.

He expressed hope that those efforts will pay off. Thus, we can speed up vaccination drive, achieve herd immunity, and successfully tackle Omicron variant.

“Nevertheless, regional governments should also prepare the worst-case scenario to anticipate a drastic surge in COVID-19 cases, such as preparing healthcare facilities and infrastructures, medicine supply, and medical workers. Therefore, we can be prepared to properly handle the surge,” he remarked. (Ministry of Home Affairs/UN) (RAS/MMB)