Jokowi Asks The Minister To Carefully Socialize The COVID-19 Vaccine So There Is No Demo

Illustration / Ratas with President Jokowi (Setkab)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has asked his ministers to prepare in detail about the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine so that there will no longer be large-scale demonstrations, such as what happened as a result of the ratification of the Omnibus Law on the Job Creation Law.

Jokowi asked his ministers not to hurry and regularly publish about the vaccine to the public.

"I ask for this vaccine not to be rushed because it is very complex. Because it involves perceptions in the community, if the communication is not good, there could be events like the Job Creation Law," Jokowi said when opening a limited meeting to anticipate the long holiday at the end of October, Monday, October 19.

He requested that his ranks of ministers publish intensely, especially regarding the halalness of the COVID-19 vaskin product.

"Regarding halal and haram, relating to price, related to quality, what kind of distribution, although not all we have to convey to the public," he said.

It's just that, regarding the price of the COVID-19 vaccine, Jokowi asked his staff not to convey it to the public.

"We also do not have to convey this price to the public," said Jokowi.

According to him, the critical point for the COVID-19 vaccine will occur during implementation in the field. So, he asked his ministers to focus and explain clearly to the public, who would be prioritized for the vaccine and why.

"It must be explained properly to the public. This public communication process must be prepared. Be careful, it must be properly prepared," he explained.

"Who is free, who is independent is explained properly. It must be detailed. Do not be hit by issues, twisted, then the community can protest again. Because currently the community is in a difficult position," he added.

In dealing with this vaccine issue, Jokowi also divided it between Minister of Health (Menkes) Terawan Agus Putranto and Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir.

Terawan, he said, would take care of the free vaccines. Meanwhile, Erick will be assigned to take care of paid or independent vaccines. This separation needs to be done so that it is clear who the party is responsible.

Jokowi also requested that the World Health Organization (WHO) Indonesia be involved in the provision of this vaccine, including to provide training related to vaccine handling from distribution to the process of giving it to the community. This is because each vaccine has its specificity in handling it.

"Each vaccine is different, from G42 it is different, from Sinovas it is different again, from Astrazineca it is different again. How it can be stored in cold storage, whether it is shaken or not, and I ask WHO Indonesia to involve it," he said.

"So they can provide training so that the standard becomes clear. Be careful about vaccines, not this easy item. After I learned it is getting more and more difficult," he concluded.