Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives Kurniasih Mufidayati stated that the paid COVID-19 vaccine policy, which is planned to start January 1, 2024, is not yet appropriate to be implemented.
"In fact, at the end of this year there was an increase in COVID-19 cases, there were 318 new cases and one death. So, the implementation of this policy (paid COVID vaccine) was deemed not on time," said Kurniasih, quoted by Antara, Sunday.
According to him, although the final limit for the free COVID vaccine is set until December 31, 2023, the government can review the policy. At least the policy of implementing a paid vaccine for COVID can be postponed until the right time.
Kurniasih added that COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that has turned to endemic. The spread of this disease still exists and is real. Meanwhile, with a large population, it is very possible that there are still many Indonesians who have not received vaccine coverage.
"If the COVID vaccine budget is still burdened, regardless of how many doses, it will certainly be even more burdensome. We have vaccines for the nation's children that should be able to serve the needs of the nation's children," he explained.
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He also hopes that the presence of vaccines for the nation's children can really help the community and not be burdensome with paid policies.
Previously, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office began implementing a paid COVID-19 vaccine on January 1, 2024.
For this reason, residents who have not completed vaccination immediately go to the nearest government health service facility while it is still free.
"That's right, January 1, 2024, the COVID-19 vaccination is starting to pay," said Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Office Ani Ruspitawati.
Ani said the paid COVID-19 vaccine applies to injecting all doses of vaccine. However, there are several groups that still get the COVID-19 vaccine for free, such as the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
Ani does not yet know the details of the costs that will be charged for each dose of vaccine. The DKI Jakarta Health Office is still waiting for the mechanism and technical services from the Ministry of Health.
Previously, President Joko Widodo reminded the public that handling COVID-19 patients was no longer free or borne by the government if there had been a change in status from a pandemic to an endemic.
"This is careful when it comes to endemic, if you get COVID-19, pay. Currently it is still borne by the government, once it enters the endemic, don't applaud first, pay COVID-19. The consequences are that," said Jokowi while attending the commemoration of a decade of the Jokowi Volunteers Front. President (Bara JP) in Bogor City, West Java, Sunday (18/6).
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