Commission VIII DPR Asks The Government To Create A COVID-19 Vaccination Program For Candidates For Hajj Pilgrims

Grand Mosque via Unsplash

JAKARTA - Chairman of Commission VIII DPR Yandri Susanto asked the government to create a COVID-19 vaccination program specifically for the 1442 Hijriah pilgrims.

According to him, this is an anticipatory step if there is certainty regarding the implementation of the pilgrimage from the government of Saudi Arabia.

"To anticipate comorbidities or those at high risk, we cannot be vaccinated. This means we have to find a replacement. This is what needs to be anticipated," said Yandri at the Commission VIII meeting, Monday, March 15.

Commission VIII of the DPR has also suggested that there be an official decree of the Minister of Religion and the Minister of Health to vaccinate prospective pilgrims.

"There is the declaration or MoU or a joint decree between the Minister of Religion and the Minister of Health for special vaccinations for prospective pilgrims to leave," he said.

However, Yandri hopes that the vaccination of the prospective congregation will be different from the vaccination of the non-congregation. In that sense, the vaccine given is a special vaccine like the vaccination for the elderly.

"I remind you first to the Ministry of Health. Is it possible that all prospective pilgrims who have paid off, specifically have different treatment from national targets, such as the elderly and vulnerable groups. This means specifically," Yandri explained.

Yandri alluded to the time of the pilgrimage that cannot be changed or that it cannot be advanced or postponed. Therefore, Yandri asked for a dispensation or special treatment for vaccine-receiving pilgrims.

"Because this pilgrimage has a special time and cannot be advanced. Could there be a special treatment for this vaccine for the pilgrims, simultaneously or the target is different from the national target, "explained the PAN politician.