Government Continues To Boost Vaccinations, Coordinating Minister Airlangga: Indonesia Is Only 20 Percent On Average, Except For Riau Islands 60 Percent

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto when giving a press statement on the realization of the 2021 KUR (Photo: Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Chair of the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KCPPEN), Airlangga Hartarto, appreciated the joint action movement to tackle COVID-19 or the COVID-19 strike initiated by Universitas Airlangga Surabaya.

According to him, this shows that the spread of COVID-19 must be suppressed. Gebrak must be held, felt and also very influential on the community.

"I convey several things to note, that we must suppress transmission, cut the COVID-19 chain and also accelerate vaccination," said Airlangga in his remarks at the COVID-19 Gebrak event which was broadcast online, Friday, July 30.

Airlangga explained that 67 million doses of vaccination had been injected. Consists of 46.98 million doses of the first dose of vaccination. The second vaccination, 29 million doses.

"And the government continues to involve all stakeholders, starting from doctors, nurses and the Indonesian National Police. The President directs that the vaccine supply in July is estimated at 30 million doses," he explained.

Airlangga said that in July the government felt that the supply and demand for vaccines were not balanced. Where the demand is greater. It is hoped that this August, he said, yesterday, which was targeted at 43 million doses, hopefully 70 million doses can be achieved.

"So that in August, more can be given, both in Java and outside Java. We all know that outside Java the average is 20 percent or below, except for Riau Islands which is around 60 percent," said Airlangga.

The chairman of the Golkar Party hopes that vaccinations can continue to run according to the president's target. And also the target of vaccinators can be increased from 1 million to 2 million people.

"If we want to achieve herd immunity at 70 percent by the end of the year. We know that some countries have achieved herd immunity above 60 percent such as in the UK and the US because they want to balance between pandemics and transition to endemic. If we look at various cases, comparisons with weekly case confirmation per 1 million population, the Indonesian level is relatively above several other countries in Asean," he explained.

Airlangga said that the number of cases and vaccinations in Indonesia was below Italy's, although the overall number was still around 20 percent.

For that, said Airlangga, this vaccine is important. The government also appreciates Unair's initiative which is included in the red and white vaccine platform with Eijkmen. These two have the potential to enter the next phase, which is the same as the Makaka trial.

"The government also continues to evaluate the spike in cases and implements levels 3 and 4 in Java, Bali and outside Java and Bali. Level 4 is based on criteria for both upstream and downstream handling in 140 regencies/cities in Java Bali 95 and non-Java Bali 45 while level 3 is in 309 regencies/cities. ," said Airlangga.