Rizieq Shihab Is Proposed To Be Influencer For COVID-19 Vaccination, Not Just Raffi Ahmad

Rizieq Shihab at Polda Metro Jaya (Wardhany Tsa Tsia / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Executive Director of Indonesian Political Indicators, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, has suggested that the frontman of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) be involved as influencers of COVID-19 vaccination. This aims to increase public confidence in vaccines, especially after the circulation of allegations that AstraZeneca's vaccines contain porcine enzymes.

"I suggest that even Habib Rizieq Shihab be a vaccination influencer. Because this is so that people do not see this as a political issue, but this is a common issue", said Burhanuddin in an online release of the Indicator survey broadcast on YouTube, Sunday, March 21.

He also said, based on the results of the Indicator survey in February 2021, it was recorded that as many as 81 percent of respondents considered the halal factor of the COVID-19 vaccine to be an important issue in the national vaccination program. Meanwhile, as many as 15 percent of respondents rated the safety aspect of vaccines as more important than halal.

Thus, the government should begin to maximize the roles of religious leaders, especially Ulama, to make the national vaccination program a success.

"This means that this halal issue is crucial, including for me the government must maximize the role of clerical and religious leaders. So the vaccine influencer is not only Raffi Ahmad", he said.

Based on the results of the March 4-10 March 2021 Indicator survey, out of 1,200 respondents, 73.2 percent of young people were willing to vaccinate against COVID-19. However, referring to the results of the survey in February 2021, Burhanuddin believes the majority of young people also consider halal vaccines to be a crucial issue.

"But if we assume that 81 percent considers halalness to be important, and it is asked in general, both general and old, it means it is also important for young people in Indonesia", said Burhanuddin.

Previously reported, the national COVID-19 vaccination program is targeted to receive 181.5 million people. The recipients are people aged 18 years and over and will be given two injections.

The vaccine administration is carried out in several stages. First, vaccines are intended for 1.5 million health workers.

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

They are market traders, educators, religious leaders and counselors, representatives of the people, officials, government, civil servants, TNI-Polri, 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 carried out from April 2021 to March 2022.