Vaccination Is Still Minimal For Indigenous Papuans, This Is What The TNI-Police Is Doing

Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri while watching the COVID-19 vaccination for students in Jayapura/ Antara

JAKARTA - The Papuan Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri, said his party was educating residents who were reluctant to be vaccinated against COVID-19, especially Papuans, through their children who are students and can already receive the vaccine.

This is done, he said, because the vaccination target is still relatively low. Especially in the indigenous Papuan environment, it is hoped that students who have received the vaccine will provide education to parents and families about the importance of vaccines. Therefore, currently, the TNI-Polri together with the health office is aggressively carrying out vaccinations in schools.

"Hopefully the education carried out by students at home can inspire parents and their families to immediately get vaccinated against COVID-19", said Inspector General Fakhiri as quoted by Antara, Thursday, August 5.

He admits that there are still few indigenous Papuans who want to be vaccinated due to a large number of irresponsible news or hoaxes circulating in the community, thus making them afraid.

However, he said, it is hoped that with the TNI-Polri actively conducting education and vaccination, the coverage will increase, especially since Papua will host the XX PON and Peparnas which are scheduled to take place on October 2-15 and November 2-15.

Fakhiri added, before the implementation of the biggest sporting event in Indonesia, it is expected to reach 70 percent of the target.

In welcoming the 76th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, he said, there was a celebration of the Red-White vaccine, so that the number of recipients increased by 70-80 percent.

Data on the coverage of COVID-19 vaccinations carried out in four cities that will become the XX PON cluster until Thursday, August 5, Jayapura City from the target of 231,863 people, only 49,761 people or 21 percent were vaccinated with the first and second doses.

Jayapura Regency, from the target of 87,226 people who received the first and second doses of vaccines as many as 15,224 people or 17.5 percent, Mimika Regency of the target 172,185 people who received the first and second doses of vaccines as many as 29,910 people or 17.4 percent and Merauke Regency from the target of 124,856 people, only 27,812 people were vaccinated with the first and second doses or 22.3 percent.