Ministry Of Health: Help Officials Understand, Booster Vaccines Are Prioritized For Health Workers

ILLUSTRATION/UNSPLASH

JAKARTA - Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Maxi Rein Rondonuwu asked officials to understand that the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine or booster is prioritized for health workers.

This was conveyed after a number of officials admitted that they had been injected with a third dose or booster in the presence of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during a working visit in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

"Please, especially officials, must understand which health workers should prioritize, because they are on the front line," said Maxi to reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, August 25.

Maxi said that his party had issued circulars three times to ensure that the booster vaccine was only intended for health workers and could not be used for the general public. In fact, the latest circular was issued at the urging of various parties and at the same time reprimanded the head of the health office.

"Yesterday, I took it out again because of pressure from people that someone who was not a health worker had started taking three doses, so we immediately made a circular, just reminding them, reprimanding including the head of the service," said Maxi.

As for the booster with the Nusantara vaccine, which was developed by former Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto, he said it was a personal decision for each. Moreover, the Ministry of Health did not participate in regulating the use of the Nusantara Vaccine for the national COVID-19 vaccination program.

"It's not (regulated by the Ministry of Health, ed), it's a personal matter," he said.

Previously reported, a number of officials admitted to President Joko Widodo that they had received a booster vaccination or the third dose.

From the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube video, this conversation took place on the sidelines of the vaccination review agenda in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. They talk behind a loudspeaker (standing mic), so it can be heard during a live broadcast.

Initially, Samarinda Mayor Andi Harun admitted to Jokowi that he had undergone two doses of vaccination, plus the Nusantara vaccine booster developed by Terawan Agus Putranto. Jokowi then responded to this confession.

"Oh, it's really fresh. Before us, Mr. Mayor," said Jokowi in a Youtube broadcast of the Presidential Secretariat, Tuesday, August 24.

Jokowi also asked about the vaccine booster to the TNI Commander Mersekal Hadi Tjahjanto who was also present at the vaccination review agenda. Hadi replied that he had also received a booster vaccine.

"Ready, already," replied Hadi.

Jokowi then responded jokingly. "Not inviting us, yes," said Jokowi, laughing.

Even the Governor of East Kalimantan, Isran Noor, who took part in the conversation, admitted that he had received a vaccine booster using Moderna.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto asked President Jokowi whether he had received the third dose of vaccination.

"All boosters, sir. Hasn't the president yet, sir?" Prabowo asked.

"No, I'm waiting, waiting for Pfizer," Jokowi replied.