Yogyakarta Has Not Performed Booster Vaccinations Because It Needs To Ensure Availability Of Sufficient Vaccines

Illustration - The vaccinator injects the third dose of Pfizer vaccine to the elderly at the Panunggangan Barat Health Center, Tangerang City, Banten, Wednesday (12/1/2022). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Fauzan/YU

JAKARTA - Yogyakarta city has not yet given a booster vaccination even though it has received a green light from the center to start doing a booster vaccination starting Wednesday, January 12 because it wants to ensure that there is sufficient vaccine available.

“Not yet started for the booster vaccination. However, to carry out a booster vaccination, it is necessary to have a sufficient number of vaccines. Last night I asked to calculate and ensure the availability of vaccines in Yogyakarta", said Heroe Poerwadi, Head of the Yogyakarta COVID-19 Handling Task Force in Yogyakarta, as reported by Antara on Wednesday, January 12.

By the provisions, the types of vaccines that can be used for further dose vaccination are Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca.

Based on the latest data, continued Heroe, there are only 700 doses of Pfizer vaccine available, and around 300 doses of AstraZeneca. "Therefore, it must be ensured that the availability of vaccines and the number of needs for booster vaccinations must be confirmed so that this program can run sustainably", he said.

If the Yogyakarta city conducts a booster vaccination with limited vaccine availability, the activity can only be carried out for one day because the vaccine will run out immediately.

According to the policy, continued Heroe, the booster vaccination will be prioritized for elderly citizens who have undergone a complete dose of vaccination at least in the last six months.

"Therefore, it is necessary to re-record the number of elderly who are the priority targets for vaccination and the types of vaccines that were previously used. On average, they use Sinovac, so the booster that will be used can be Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca", he said.

With the limited number of vaccines, Heroe confirmed that he would immediately submit the need for vaccines through the DI Yogyakarta Government.

"In addition to boosters, we also have priority to complete the vaccination of children 6-11 years old and residents who have not been vaccinated at all", he said.

He hopes that the elderly in Yogyakarta city can take advantage of the booster vaccination program because it is intended to improve the health protection of residents who are vulnerable to being exposed to COVID-19.

“Maybe there are still some who feel reluctant because there are personal considerations. But this program is intended for mutual safety during the pandemic, so we hope that all the elderly can participate", he said.