President Jokowi Inspects Independent Vaccination in Bogor

President Jokowi during inspection of “vaksin merdeka” (independent vaccination) at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Wednesday (22/9). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (22/9) inspected “vaksin merdeka” (independent vaccination) held at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB).

On that occasion, the President greeted participants of the vaccination in other locations across Indonesia through video conference.

The representative of Nusantara’s College Student Executive Body (BEM) expressed his appreciation for the “vaksin merdeka” since it is a collaborative vaccination program between the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the BEM, and Community and Youth Organizations (OKP) to speed up the vaccination progress in the country.

“We’d like to appreciate Mr. President, especially the National Police Chief for allowing us to collaborate with the National Police. Since the beginning of collaboration, there are a total of 40 points throughout Indonesia,” the representative of Nusantara’s BEM said in a dialogue with President Jokowi via video conference.

The President also urged students to contribute in persuading the public to participate in the independent vaccination to achieve herd immunity immediately.

“I urge students to invite the public to participate in the independent vaccination so that the percentage of vaccination target will be getting higher day by day and we can also achieve the target of vaccinating 70 percent of the country’s population,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya (MVDM) Temple in Riau Islands said that vaccine stocks for Batam and Riau Islands province should be added immediately since the province is one of the areas with the highest vaccination progress in the country.

“Today’s doses of vaccine are so far sufficient, Sir. However, we need more doses of vaccine for Riau Islands and Batam, Sir,” the representative said.

On that occasion, the President ordered each region to use up existing vaccine stocks. The President also promised to send more vaccine stocks to any region once they ran out of stocks.

“Please, use all the existing vaccines first. I’ll send them more afterwards. I think it’s good to finish them quickly. Riau Islands is one of [the regions] with the highest number of vaccination,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RIF/LW)