I'm Well! COVID-19 Vaccination In Indonesia Ranked 9th In The World

ILLUSTRATION/BETWEEN PHOTOS

JAKARTA - Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the number of COVID-19 vaccines in Indonesia is currently ranked 9th in the world. He said the government had already injected 90 million doses.

"As of today, Indonesia has injected 90 million doses. We have crossed the 90 million mark and we are ranked 9th in the world for the number of injections," Budi said in an online press conference broadcast on the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment's YouTube, Monday, 23 August.

Meanwhile, the number of recipients of the first COVID-19 vaccine currently reaches 58 million and places Indonesia in 6th place in the world.

The former Deputy Minister of SOEs said that Indonesia would receive 62.6 million doses of various types of vaccines. This figure, he said, was higher because previously the number of vaccines that came from January to July amounted to 90 million doses.

In addition, this month Indonesia also received 1.56 million doses of vaccine from Pfizer which were purchased directly. "Then at the end of the month we will receive 4.6 million doses of Pfizer which is a multilateral cooperation, free vaccine from COVAX," explained Budi.

Although the COVID-19 vaccine is now available in various types, Budi reminded the public not to be picky about vaccines. Moreover, the purpose of this injection is to form antibodies in the body to fight COVID-19.

"We urge the public not to be picky about vaccines because all vaccines provide the same benefits of building antibodies and it is very important to help the government keep this vaccine free," he said.

He also reminded local governments to immediately inject vaccines to the public. This, said Budi, is also in accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in a limited meeting.

"The President's direction is to immediately inject it, don't hold it as a stock of vaccine. Immediately send it to the provinces and provinces and also ask to send it to the districts/cities," he stressed.

Furthermore, he also asked the public to continue to monitor vaccine supplies. This can be done by accessing the website vaccine.kemkes.go.id.

"There is a menu to see the stock of vaccines in all regencies/cities and also the rate of injection so how many days it can be used. So the stock of vaccines according to the direction of the President is as soon as possible and can be controlled by the public," he concluded.