President Jokowi Orders Intensification of Booster Vaccination

President Jokowi leads a limited meeting on public activity restrictions (PPKM) at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Monday (07/04). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his administration to once again intensify vaccination to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Vaccination coverage, this is what the President ordered to increase, the coverage of the first, second, and third dose vaccination,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in his press statement following a limited meeting on public activity restrictions (PPKM) led by President Jokowi, Monday (07/04).

In increasing vaccination coverage and promoting booster vaccination, the Government opens vaccination booths in busy areas taking into account the relatively low booster vaccination rate in the country, which is under 20 percent.

“The third dose [vaccination] will certainly be used as a requirement for activities involving many people and also for travels. The President’s directive also includes preparing third dose vaccination [as a requirement for travels] via airports,” Airlangga said.

Airlangga stated that the President urged the people to remain vigilant and disciplined in observing health protocols.

“The President reiterated that the use of PeduliLindungi application should be intensified in various places, so we should not loosen our guard because in several places, it is not strictly implemented. This is what must be improved because [the President] reminded us that [the number of COVID-19 cases] in several countries remain high, so the pandemic is not over yet,” he said.

Airlangga also pointed out that on July 3, there were 1,614 national daily cases, which is below the positivity rate standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) at 5 percent.

“The islands of Java and Bali still represent the majority, or [made up] 95 percent [of the total number of cases] with 1,579 cases. Meanwhile, regions outside of Java and Bali made up 35 cases or 4.07 percent,” he remarked. (TGH/JW/UN) (DH/MMB)