The Ministry Of Health Ensures That COVID-19 Survivors Don't Lose Their Right To Vaccines

Illustration of vaccine injection (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The vaccination spokesperson from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Siti Nadia Tarmizi, emphasized that survivors or people who have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 will still receive vaccinations.

Nadia said COVID-19 survivors can receive vaccinations after three months of being declared cured of the coronavirus. Because, within three months, the survivor still has antibody immunity.

"These COVID-19 survivors do not lose their rights. If you have been confirmed with COVID-19 if you have been more than 3 months old, you can or are eligible for vaccination", said Nadia in a virtual press conference, Monday, February 15.

However, said Nadia, they were not yet included in the priority vaccine recipients. Although, they are health workers and public service workers who receive vaccines in the first and second stages.

"So, it is still time to be able to join in the next period or stage or with other communities. We will not lose their rights. We have promised if we cannot participate now, then later", she said.

In the national COVID-19 vaccination program, the government is targeting 181.5 vaccine targets. They are people aged 18 years and over. Vaccine recipients receive twice the injection dose.

In the first stage, the vaccine is intended for 1.5 health workers. As of today, health workers who have received the first dose of vaccination are 73.47 percent and the second dose is 29.85 percent.

Then, in the second stage, COVID-19 vaccination is for the elderly and public service workers. The target is 21.5 million elderly and 16.9 million public workers. This program lasts until May.

They are market traders, educators, religious leaders and counselors, representatives of the people, officials, government, civil servants, TNI-Police, tourism officers, public services, public transportation workers, athletes, and media workers.

Furthermore, vaccination will be carried out for 63.9 million vulnerable people or people living in areas with a high risk of infection. Then, other communities as many as 77.7 million people. This program will be conducted from April 2021 to March 2022.