TNI Continues to Support Gov’t in Speeding Up COVID-19 Vaccination

Assistant TNI Commander for Operation Major General Syafruddin delivers a statement at an online press conference on Tuesday (09/14). Source: YouTube channel of Presidential Secretariat

The Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) said it remains committed to supporting the Government in COVID-19 vaccine rollout in line with the directive of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“The TNI continues to provide support, not only in providing security for vaccine stocks and distribution, but also in administering the vaccine,” Assistant TNI Commander for Operation Major General Syafruddin said, Tuesday (14/09).

According to Syafruddin, the TNI implements three strategies in supporting vaccination.

First, The TNI provides 109 hospitals and 694 first-level health facilities. Second, The TNI carries out mobile or door-to-door vaccination. Third, the TNI works hand in hand with local health offices and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to administer mass vaccination.

As of today, he added, the TNI has deployed 10,867 health workers as vaccinators to carry out vaccination in 34 provinces in Indonesia.

“The TNI has carried out vaccination since March 2021. As of today, we have administered 14,027,775 [injections], namely 10,730,464 first dose injections and 3,297,311 second dose injections,” Syafruddin said.

He went on to say that the TNI has also sent health workers to regencies/cities implementing level 4 and level 3 Activity Restrictions (PPKM) to speed up vaccination in the regions. The targeted regencies/cities include Banjarbaru, Banjarmasin, Berau, Tarakan, Jayapura, and Yogyakarta

“The TNI has also distributed 300,000 medicine packages, 690 oxygen concentrators, 40,000 rapid antigens, 3,500 PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), 454,000 medical masks, and 1,000 medical gloves,” he said.

Syafruddin also urged the public to support vaccination program, maintain discipline in observing health protocols, and comply with activity restrictions rules set by the Government. (TGH/AIT/UN) (RI/EP)