President Jokowi Calls on Public to Get Vaccinated

President Jokowi distributes Working Capital Assistance (BMK) to micro and small businesses, Friday (8/1) at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province. (Photo: Presidential Secretariat/Kris)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on the public to participate in COVID-19 vaccination program as an effort to achieve herd immunity.

“The Government hopes 70 percent of Indonesia’s population will be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity,” the President said during the distribution of Working Capital Assistance (BMK) to micro and small businesses, Friday (8/1) at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province.

According to the President, vaccination is a way to end the current pandemic; thus, the Government, he said, will immediately implement the vaccination program starting next week after the Food and Drugs Control Agency (BPOM) issues an emergency use permit.

In addition to that, he added, the Government is waiting for fatwa from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) regarding the halal aspect of the vaccine.

The Head of State went on to say that to achieve herd immunity, vaccination will be carried out on 182 million Indonesians with two injections each.

“It means that the Government needs to inject 364 million people with the vaccine. We hope the vaccination will be completed in no more than a year,” he said, while reminding that health protocols still need to be followed to tackle the pandemic.

“Do follow health protocols. Wear a face mask. Wash hands. Maintain physical distancing. Do not go into crowded places,” he said. (FID/UN) (EST/EP)