President Jokowi Tells Public to Participate in COVID-19 Vaccination Program

President Jokowi engages in a dialogue with working capital assistance (BMK) recipients at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, Friday (18/12). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau/Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on the public to participate in a mass COVID-19 vaccination program that will be implemented by the Government.

“All citizens can participate in the vaccination. I hope nobody will refuse to be vaccinated,” the President said during the handover of Working Capital Assistance to micro and small businesses at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, Friday (18/12).

The President also reminded the public that the COVID-19 vaccines will be available at no cost.

“The vaccination is carried out for everyone so that we can return to normal life. It has also nothing to do with membership in the Social Security Agency (BPJS) since there was a rumor that only BPJS members will be vaccinated,” he said.

According to him, the Government is still waiting for the monitoring stage to be completed by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

“If the BPOM has approved to carry out vaccine injection, then the vaccination will be right away conducted to the public,” the President said.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Ministry of Religious Affairs have also been involved in ensuring the halal status of vaccines.

“The vaccines’ halal status should not be a concern. This is a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he stated.

Furthermore, the President asserted that he will be the first COVID-19 vaccine recipient.

“I will be the first to get vaccinated in Indonesia to show that the vaccines are safe,” he added.

On that occasion, the President also reminded the public to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

“I am appealing to all of you to be disciplined in wearing masks, keeping a safe distance, avoiding crowded places, and always washing your hands after doing activities. We must constantly remind our colleagues, our friends, our neighbors, our environment,” he said. (FID/UN) (RIF/EP)