President Jokowi Gets First Coronavirus Vaccine Jab As Gov’t Begins Vaccination Program

President Jokowi delivers a statement after COVID-19 vaccination, Wednesday (13/01) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. (Photo: Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday (13/1) at the Merdeka Palace received the first dose of Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac, becoming the first person in Indonesia to be vaccinated.

“Thank God, this morning the vaccination process went smoothly,” the President told reporters.

For the record, the CoronaVac vaccine produced by Sinovac, which was injected into the President and other recipients, has undergone rigorous and independent clinical trials, obtained an emergency use permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and received a halal status from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

Prof. dr. Abdul Muthalib, Sp.PD-KHOM, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the President was the vaccinator who injects a dose of vaccine to the President during the vaccination process.

On that occasion, President Jokowi expressed hope that the public can support the vaccination program provided free by the Government.

“I hope all citizens participate in the vaccination program as a part of our effort to be free from the pandemic. The vaccination program will be conducted in several batches and is free of charge,” the President said.

The President further said that the recipients of COVID-19 vaccine still have to maintain self-discipline in observing health protocols, namely wearing a face mask, washing hands regularly, maintaining physical distancing, and avoiding crowds.

Indonesia has reported more than 840,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 24,500 deaths.

The Government has so far secured more than 300 million doses of vaccines, including at least 125.5 million doses from Sinovac, 50 million doses each from Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca, 54 million from COVAX, and 30 million from Novavax. (BPMI/UN) (RI/EP)