Only 7.4 Percent Of The First Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccination For Children 6-11 Years Old, Achieved In Kendari

JAKARTA – The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination program for children aged six to eleven years in Kendari only covered 7.4 percent. This number is relatively minimal, because only 2,763 children were vaccinated from the target of 37,352 children to be vaccinated in Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi Province.

"Currently, the first dose of vaccination for children six to 11 years old in Kendari has covered 2,763 children or 7.4 percent of the target," said Head of the Kendari Health Service, Rahminingrum in Kendari, Sunday.

Even the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, according to Rahminingrum, was only carried out on 28 children or 0.07 percent of children aged six to 11 years who were targeted for vaccination.

Rahminingrum said that COVID-19 vaccination in children was carried out using a vaccine made by Sinovac whose effect was considered to be milder than other types of vaccines.

"We hope that all children can be vaccinated so that we can protect them and prevent the risk of infection from the COVID-19 pandemic and the new variant of COVID-19," he said.

The number of vaccinations is expected to continue to be increased considering that the government has decided to carry out face-to-face learning in schools. The city which will host the 20222 National Press Day in early February is expected to continue to move to improve vaccination achievements.

"We also urge that even though we have vaccinated, we must remain disciplined with health protocols, starting from wearing masks, maintaining distance, and diligently washing hands. Don't ignore all of this," he said.

The Kendari City Health Office provides COVID-19 vaccination services for children in collaboration with other government agencies including the TNI and Polri.