Vaccination For COVID-19 Will Take 15 Months, Jokowi: I Bid, Less Than A Year Must Be Completed

President Jokowi while reviewing the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination throughout Indonesia to be completed in less than a year, faster than the Ministry of Health planned. "Yesterday I received information on calculations from the Minister for 15 months, but I still bid for less than a year to finish, "he said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, January 5.

The president said the government must work hard to solve the COVID-19 pandemic problem quickly and precisely so that people's lives can return to normal soon. The central government on Sunday, January 3, began distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to 34 provinces. "In the first stage, 700,000 (vaccine doses) were sent to the regions, but we have three million in stock. Only 700,000 will be sent to the regions. again next time, sent again next time, "said the President. Next week the raw materials for making 15 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are scheduled to arrive to be processed into vaccines by PT Biofarma. The vaccines will then be sent to the regions. The President said that in the first stage, prioritization of vaccination for health workers, including doctors and nurses who work in hospitals. "Secondly, TNI-Polri, as well as teachers, will also directly coincide with the community "He said. The president hopes that the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can be more controlled after the implementation of vaccination.

Jokowi also reminded citizens to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols to prevent transmission of COVID-19, wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands.

"Not to places where the crowd is, keep your distance, because the key is there, until the vaccination is complete. Because if the world estimates that worldwide, this vaccination will be completed in three and a half years," he said.