297 Million People Have Been Injected With COVID-19 Vaccines, Jokowi: It's Not An Easy Item For A Country As Complex As Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said 297 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been successfully injected in the country so far. In addition, 30 provinces in Indonesia currently have reached the target of more than 70 percent.

He conveyed this when giving a briefing at the 67th Anniversary of Parahyangan University, Bandung, West Java, today or Monday, January 17. One of the provinces whose vaccination achievement is above 70 percent is West Java.

"When 30 provinces have reached the target of above 70 percent. Vaccinations have reached 297 million, (this, ed) the number is not small," said Jokowi in his briefing broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.

"Oh yes, those above 70 percent included West Java Province. Earlier, the Governor (West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil) whispered to me, 'Sir, West Java is already 83 percent," he added.

This already high vaccination coverage has caused Indonesia to be ranked 4th in the world after China, Brazil and the United States. However, he said this achievement was not easy.

Moreover, Indonesia is a vast country with geographical differences from one region to another. Thus, the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is not an easy thing.

"297 million is not an easy thing for a country as complex as our country, Indonesia. Injecting 297 million times, to 17.000 islands, 514 regencies and cities, 34 provinces," said Jokowi.

"Some have to take a boat, some have to ride a motorbike to go up the mountain. (This, ed) is not an easy thing and I really appreciate the National Armed Forces (TNI)-National Police (Polri) who provide full support in the context of vaccination," concluded the former Governor of DKI Jakarta.