Task Force: Vulnerable Elderly Need To Prioritize COVID-19 Vaccination

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

TANJUNGPINANG - Spokesperson for the Riau Islands COVID-19 Task Force, Tjetjep Yudiana, stated that elderly parents are in a group that is vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission, so they need to prioritize getting vaccinations.

"Elderly people are easily infected and may be symptomatic due to other diseases, so they need special attention. Vaccination can build their immune system," said Tjetjep in Tanjungpinang, as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, July 24.

Based on the records of the Riau Islands Health Office, the number of elderly people who have injected the COVID-19 vaccine is only 29,705 people or 34.09 percent. While the rest of the elderly who have not been vaccinated reached 57,423 people.

"It's still relatively low. This needs special attention from the Health Department," he said.

While the elderly or people aged over 60 years who had injected the first dose of vaccine were 73,747 people or 84.64 percent, and the second dose was 62,876 people or 72.17 percent.

"Poskos, outlets, health centers and hospitals serve vaccinations. Even now at ports and airports, vaccination booths are opened to improve services, which should be utilized," he said.

According to the former Head of the Riau Islands Health Office, there are far more vaccinations for residents aged over 18 years, according to the former Head of the Riau Islands Health Office. Residents in this group who had the third dose of vaccine or booster reached 671,626 people or 48.90 percent. The remaining target for the third dose of vaccination for people that age reached 701,746 people.

Meanwhile, residents over the age of 18 who received the first dose of vaccine reached 1,352,443 people or 98.48 percent, and the second dose or complete dose was 1,171,161 or 85.28 percent.

Children aged 6-11 years who had the first dose of vaccine reached 200,214 people or 90.32 percent, and the second dose was 165,029 people or 74.45 percent.

Adolescent groups or those aged 12-17 years who have received the first dose of vaccine

220,751 people or 106.30 percent, and the second dose was 195,160 people.

The achievement of regional-based vaccination in Riau Islands for the first dose reached 1,773,408 people or 98.37 percent, while the second dose was 1,531,350 people or 84.95 percent and the third dose was 671,626 people or 48.90 percent.