Erick Thohir Invites Abundant Communities To Independent Vaccination: They Must Help The Government

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir asked people from the wealthy to buy the COVID-19 vaccine independently. This is because government vaccines will be given free of charge only to priority groups.

As for those who fall into the priority group are medical personnel, TNI, Polri, and the poor who are recorded in the Health BPJS. Therefore, people who do not belong to this group can vaccinate independently by buying themselves on their own accord.

Erick said, the contribution of community groups to be able to carry out independent vaccination is very large. This can ease the government in terms of funding for the COVID-19 vaccination program. Moreover, given the large population of Indonesia.

"This contribution is no less important because of the very large population of Indonesia. Of course, groups of people who have more capability should help the government by paying for the vaccines themselves," he said, in a webinar, Tuesday, November 24.

Going forward, Erick wants the vaccination journey to be open to all and attract all input. Therefore, since the beginning, the government has continued to socialize and also meet with experts.

"This is the most important factor in handling COVID-19, namely saving people," he said.

Erick said the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the government's efforts to control the pandemic in the country. He hopes that with vaccination, the government can reduce transmission and death rates.

Therefore, he ensured that the government would prepare for vaccinations as well as possible. He said the Ministry of Health would be the party responsible for choosing the types and quantities of vaccines to be presented.

"Now a lot of times I see fathers losing their wives, children losing their parents. This is what happens in reality," he said.

Erick explained, the initial target of giving the COVID-19 vaccine would be for people aged 18 to 59 years.

"I just inform you, indeed for the initial target ages 18 to 59 try to be vaccinated. This is the initial target, it does not mean that the initial target is 67 percent which will try to be the main target," he said.