DKI Starts Vaccination Against COVID-19 Children 12-17 Years Old, Anies: A Historic Day

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (Photo: DKI Jakarta Provincial Government Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan began to hold the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 12-17 years old today. This vaccination was carried out at SMAN 20, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta.

Anies said he was proud. This is because DKI became the first province to hold Sinovac vaccination activities for children aged 12-17 years.

"Today is a historic day for Indonesian children, especially in Jakarta. After 1.5 years, our children have to study remotely and cannot do activities with their friends at school freely, today children in Jakarta are starting to get vaccinated," said Anies at the location, Thursday, July 1.

Previously, this process has also gone through a review process with the health team, as well as has carried out a feasibility test for the Sinovac type vaccine with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), so that the dose is appropriate for children.

Therefore, once BPOM allowed the use of vaccination in children, Anies admitted that the DKI Provincial Government moved quickly to prepare for its implementation. Children who can be vaccinated in Jakarta must have a KIA or KTP (for students who already have one).

"Our children must be protected, freed from this COVID-19 outbreak, and they must take on a better future. Therefore I invite all parents wherever they are, let's protect our children," said Anies.

Previously, Plt. The Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Maxi Rein Rondonuwu issued a circular regarding the mechanism of COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 12-17 years.

This is stated in SE HK.02.02/1/1727/2021 concerning Phase 3 Vaccination for Vulnerable Communities and Other General Publics and Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination for Children aged 12-17 Years.

Vaccination for children 12-17 years old can be carried out in health service facilities or in schools/madrasah/Islamic boarding schools, in coordination with the Education Office and the local MoRA regional/office to facilitate data collection and monitoring of implementation.

Then, the mechanism of screening, implementation and observation in children is the same as vaccination at the age of 18 years.

Then, vaccination participants must bring a family card or other document that includes the child's NIK. Recording in the PCare application of vaccinations included in the group of adolescents.

Vaccination in children using Sinovac vaccine with a dose of 0.5 ml twice with a distance or interval of at least 28 days. The Ministry of Health targets that 32.6 million children 12-17 years old are vaccinated.