Thanks To The 'Pick-up Ball' Program, The Majority Of People With Disabilities In Indonesia Have Received The COVID-19 Vaccine

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Persons with Disabilities (PPDI) Ghufron Sakaril said the majority of people with disabilities in the country had received the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Now, on average, there are two vaccines, the first dose is only a small amount," said Ghufron when confirmed by Antara, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 16.

Although he does not yet have the full number of participants receiving the full dose, Ghufron measures the situation based on the priority scale of vaccine recipients set by the government for vulnerable communities.

"Yesterday, we were given priority in early March 2021. We are included in the criteria for vulnerable communities, so there is acceleration," he said.

In addition, Ghufron also appreciated the involvement of various groups in increasing the participation of people with disabilities in COVID-19 vaccination. One of them is the Blue Bird transportation entrepreneur who takes part in the effort to pick up the participants' balls to various orphanages.

"The organizers of the vaccination center work together with private companies, such as for the provision of a ball pick-up transport fleet. We are picked up in groups, for example in orphanages, all of them are picked up," he said.

In addition, the government's strategy in facilitating facilities for supporting vaccination for persons with disabilities has also increased the interest of the participants. "Vaccination facilities are quite friendly because we are provided with a special corridor so we don't queue together, especially at special centers," he said.

PPDI also takes a role in increasing members' knowledge of the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine for self-protection from the risk of serious illness.

"Initially there were still concerns about side effects, especially comorbidities so that many parents did not allow them to be vaccinated. The hoax factor also greatly affected us. But we have dealt with it and their knowledge of vaccines is now wider," he said.

Ghufron hopes that the provision of disability-friendly vaccination sites will continue to be expanded and draw closer to the presence of people with disabilities.

"Hopefully, we want the vaccination to be carried out in a place closest to the residence of persons with disabilities, such as the Puskesmas or Posyandu so that it is not far away," he said.