Booster Becomes Travel Requirement, Epidemiologist Asks Government To Ensure Vaccination Centers Are Easily Available

COVID-19 vaccination at Careggi Hospital, Italy in December 2020. (Antara-Reuters-Jennifer Lorenzini)

JAKARTA - Epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University, Dicky Budiman, asked the government to make it easier to have a COVID-19 vaccination center regarding plans for booster vaccines as travel requirements and access to public facilities.

"When this booster requirement is also enforced, we must ensure that the government ensures that vaccination booths or centers are easily available," he said via a short message application, Tuesday, July 12.

This step will assist efforts to boost Indonesia's vaccination achievements, including for the third dose of vaccination as a booster.

With this requirement, he also encourages continuous improvement in the quality of the PeduliLindung application which is used for travel and entering public facilities.

"Including the speed of entry of the latest data, this is very important to help the community and besides that, mobility is once again carried out selectively by the public," he said.

Dicky reminded that a strong response must still be made, including tightening health protocols such as wearing masks and reducing mobility as one way to reduce the potential for transmission of COVID-19.

Previously, based on an Antara report, the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian issued Circular Letter No. 440/3917/SJ regarding the Acceleration of Advanced Dose Vaccination (Booster) for the Community. The circular is intended for all regional heads in Indonesia on July 11, 2022.

Several directives in the circular include requiring booster vaccinations for people to enter public and public facilities such as offices, factories, public parks, tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping centers and various other public areas.

There are exceptions for people who cannot be vaccinated due to certain health conditions and are required to attach a doctor's certificate from a government hospital or health facility and for children under 18 years of age.