Yogyakarta Ready To Accelerate Achievement Of Strengthening Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccination

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta COVID-19 Handling Task Force is ready to accelerate the achievement of booster dose vaccination which is planned to be used as a condition for homecoming trips during Lebaran.

"Actually, before the government announced the plan for traveling back and forth with booster vaccinations, we had made various efforts to accelerate the achievement of booster vaccinations," said Heroe Poerwadi, Head of the Yogyakarta COVID-19 Handling Task Force in Yogyakarta, Antara, Thursday, March 24.

According to him, the acceleration efforts are carried out by opening services in the area in collaboration with the urban village to bring people's access closer to the third dose of vaccination. In addition, services are also opened at the Yogyakarta City Hall complex.

Thus, booster dose vaccination services are not only served at health centers or hospitals.

He is optimistic that people will be more enthusiastic about taking booster dose vaccinations after the government announces plans for homecoming trips, one of the conditions of which is to have undergone the third dose of vaccination.

As of Monday, March 21, the achievement of the third dose of vaccination in Yogyakarta City for the entire community reached 45.9 percent of the approximately 290,000 targets.

"In fact, we continue to strive so that all people who have met the requirements for the vaccine must be vaccinated immediately. This is aimed at building community immunity," he said.

Regarding the plan for a booster vaccine requirement to carry out congregational tarawih prayers at mosques during Ramadan, Heroe said that he was still waiting for a policy from the central government.

"Previously, we also kept reminding the mosque takmir to maintain health protocols and asked the takmir to also remind if there are worshipers who have not been fully vaccinated or have not been boosted," he said.

Even though there are a number of easings given, Heroe still asks the public to be disciplined in health protocols. "The most important thing is to wear a mask and wash your hands. I don't think it can be ignored," he said.

Meanwhile, today, there were an additional 47 new cases of COVID-19, with 123 patients recovering or completing isolation and two patients dying. Thus, there are currently 489 active cases or a decrease compared to yesterday's 579 active cases.