Do Not Be Afraid Of Injecting Vaccines, Said Jokowi, It Feels Like Being Bitten By An Ant

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo confirmed that he will be the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He also appealed to the public not to be afraid of undergoing vaccination, because according to him the process of injecting the vaccine is safe to use.

This was revealed by Jokowi during a dialogue with traders and MSME players in the context of distributing working capital assistance (BMK) at the Presidential Palace, Bogor. He said that at least 182 million or 70 percent of the total population of Indonesia would receive vaccinations.

"Like a child during the vaccination. It's like being bitten by an ant, tick ... that's all," Jokowi said in a video uploaded by the Presidential Secretariat, Saturday, December 19.

Jokowi explained, the target of Covid-19 vaccination is aimed at achieving herd immunity in society. Therefore, Jokowi asked the public not to reject the vaccination process.

In addition to a painless process, the procurement of the Sinovac type vaccine has also involved the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Ministry of Religion directly to ensure the halalness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"I hope everyone will. No one refused. Because of what? MUI has also participated in the vaccine, the Ministry of Religion has arrived at the factory. And later what MUI will issue about the halalness of the vaccine. So that's it, "he explained.

Jokowi reiterated that the public did not need to pay a penny to receive vaccines. "If later the BPOM has given permission for the injection, tomorrow it will be injected immediately, vaccinated to the whole community and free of charge," he said.