Because It Hasn't Been Made A Requirement For Activities, The Coverage Of Booster Vaccinations In DKI Is Still Slow

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The implementation of the third or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination is slower than the primary vaccination (first and second doses). Turns out, there are a number of causes that influence it.

Head of the Surveillance and Immunization Section of the DKI Jakarta Health Service (Dinkes) Ngabila Salama said that the absence of mandatory booster vaccination as a condition for activities affected the public's desire to be vaccinated with the next dose.

"People don't want a booster because more of them want something that's easy. Because boosters have not been made mandatory for activities," said Ngabila in a virtual discussion, Friday, February 25.

The government has actually given privileges to residents who have done boosters. Indonesian citizens and foreigners who have been vaccinated three times and enter Indonesia can quarantine for only 3 days. However, it turns out that it is not enough to increase the euphoria booster.

Therefore, Ngabila believes that the central government needs to add further policies regarding boosters, such as conditions for activities to rewards for the community.

"If possible, like in Malaysia. There the definition of a complete vaccine is if it has been three times. In America, it also provides rewards for people who have been vaccinated three times," he said.

Another reason is that booster vaccination services are still more limited than primary vaccination. Therefore, Ngabila suggested that regional officials and health service managers facilitate booster vaccination facilities in the neighborhoods where residents live.

"We must also prioritize community leaders, religious leaders, RT, RW, and village heads. Pick up the ball, as much as possible, people just walk for vaccines from their homes or offices, whether in mosques, houses of worship, RW offices, RPTRA. a lot," explained Ngabila.

"Then the vaccination service was extended. The average vaccine is only until 12.00, but people who work, they need vaccine services which are at 17.00, evening and on holidays. This needs to be extended," he continued.

For information, there are currently 190,531,114 people who have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination and 143,280,295 the second dose of vaccination. Then, the third dose of vaccination was 9,542,165. Meanwhile, the target for vaccination in Indonesia is 208,265,720 people.