Sri Mulyani: Indonesia Is Lucky To Get Covid-19 Vaccinated, Unlike Poor Countries

Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani. (Photo: Doc. BNPB)

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that many poor countries have not been able to vaccinate COVID-19 in their respective countries. One of the reasons is because the funding they have is not large.

"Because the possibility of getting access to the vaccine is also very difficult due to the limited funds they have," he said, during a virtual working meeting (raker) with Committee IV of the Regional Representative Council (DPD), Tuesday, January 19.

Therefore, said Sri Mulyani, Indonesia is a lucky country because it can secure a number of vaccines needed to achieve herd immunity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are lucky to be able to secure the vaccine. However, if in this world it is not yet complete (active cases), there will always be the possibility of transmission, this is a challenge for the world together," he said.

Currently, said Sri Mulyani, countries in the world have announced and even started the COVID-19 vaccination program. Several countries that have started vaccination include the United States with a target of 331 million people since December 2020.

Then, the UK is targeting the vaccination of 67.9 million people and it will be done for free starting December 2020. Followed by France, with a target of 65.3 million people who will get vaccinated for free.

Malaysia 32.4 million inhabitants and will be vaccinated free of charge starting February 2021. Vaccination in Malaysia is also possible including for permanent residents. Furthermore, India is targeting vaccinations for 1.8 billion people starting this week.

Then, the Philippines with a target of vaccinating 109 million residents starting in the second quarter of 2021 with a 60 percent free and 40 percent paid scheme. Meanwhile, Thailand is targeting 69 million people for free starting May 2021, and Australia with a target of 25 million residents starting March 2021.

Sri Mulyani said that vaccination in Indonesia is free for all people. Meanwhile, the vaccination program began on Wednesday last week, with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) the first to receive the vaccine.

"The goal is to be able to achieve what is called the minimum herd immunity that must be built up. So that COVID-19 can no longer continue to spread and increase victims. These victims are not only lives but also economic victims," he said.