Regions Urged to Make Breakthrough to Speed Up Vaccination for Vulnerable Community
COVID-19 Vaccination for senior healthcare workers. (Photo: PR of Ministry of Health)
The Government continues to intensify national vaccination with the target of 208 million citizens to achieve herd immunity.
In this regard, the Government has also encouraged regional governments to make breakthrough to expand the scope of vaccination for vulnerable community, especially senior citizens.
Vice Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono made the statement in his press conference during the 56th and 57th arrival of COVID-19 vaccines.
“We also encourage regional governments to make breakthrough to speed up the vaccination for senior citizens and people with comorbidities or vulnerable people,” Dante explained.
Dante also said that the number of vaccinated senior citizens still lagged behind of other community groups, while urging everyone to support national vaccination program, so anyone eligible can get vaccinated.
He also reminded the communities to maintain discipline in observing health protocols although the number of active cases and deaths due to COVID-19 are declining.
“Do not let the number of cases increase again drastically. Our neighboring countries such as Malaysia and India, and even Singapore at this moment are experiencing a drastic spike in the number of cases due to health protocols violation,” he said.
For the record, the Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement (PPKM) policy that still takes place is aimed at avoiding any increase in the number of cases.
“We have to comply with policies issued by the Government because it is for our own good. Insya Allah, with our collective efforts we can get through this pandemic,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi explained that based on data of WHO, the number of COVID-19 cases globally surpassed 223 million cases and the number of deaths is more than 4.6 million cases.
“The number of new cases is relatively stable in the last month. Decreasing trend occurs in three WHO regions in the last week, namely Africa, South-East Asia, and East Mediterranean. On the contrary, increasing trend occurs in American region,” Retno continued her explanation.
Retno also expressed gratitude because Indonesia is one of the countries that is experiencing decreasing trend.
“In the past few days, national positivity rate has dropped to below five percent which is the maximum rate based on WHO standards. In July, when we reported so many cases, our national positivity rate reached over 31 percent,” she said.
As explained by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director General of WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also revealed that decoupling between the increasing number of cases and the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is experienced by some countries with high vaccination rate.
“It means that although the number of cases is increasing, the number of hospitalization and deaths do not necessarily increase. It proves that vaccine works,” she said.
Therefore, Retno, once again, urged all Indonesian people to support the Government’s national vaccination program.
Indonesian diplomatic machine, she affirmed, will continue to move in full speed to fulfil the need of national vaccine and to voice Indonesia’s opinion on a just access for vaccines for all countries.
“We really need the support of Indonesian people by getting vaccinated and maintaining discipline in observing health protocols. Let’s get vaccinated and implement health protocols,” she said. (FID/DND/UN) (AW/EP)
