Jokowi Highlights Vaccination Inequality In North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution Accelerates Student Vaccines For Face-to-Face Learning

Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution (personal Instagram DOK)

MEDAN - The Medan City Government, North Sumatra, has accelerated the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination for students in preparation for holding face-to-face learning at school.

"This vaccination should not only be carried out today, but will continue until the target for all junior high school students in Medan City is achieved," said Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution, Thursday, September 16.

The implementation of vaccination in the city of Medan continues to be encouraged, including for students. Bobby Nasution explained that the vaccination for students was carried out at SMPN 23 and SMPN 1 Medan who were over 12 years old.

"The implementation of the vaccination at SMPN 23 Medan has been attended by SMPN 3, 4, 6 and 8 students, each of whom sent 200 students to be vaccinated," he said.

“I hope that this vaccination activity is not just ceremonial, but actually continues. Because if all students have been vaccinated, the progress at school is strict, God willing, limited face-to-face learning can be done," continued Bobby Nasution.

Jokowi Highlight

The progress of vaccination in North Sumatra is the concern of President Joko Widodo. The President highlighted the imbalance in vaccination rates in the North Sumatra region and asked that it be corrected immediately.

Initially, Jokowi said the achievement of vaccination for the elderly in North Sumatra was quite good even though it only reached 24 percent.

"In terms of vaccination, in North Sumatra in general 26 percent, although 24 percent I think it's good enough because there are 15 others," said Jokowi at the North Sumatra Governor's official residence, Medan, Thursday, September 16.

Jokowi then conveyed a message to be careful because of the imbalance in vaccination in the regions of North Sumatra. Jokowi said that there are areas where 82 percent of their citizens have been vaccinated, but there are other areas where only 7 percent have been vaccinated.

"Then be careful, the TNI Commander has said that there is a gap between certain cities and existing regencies. The numbers are very far, 82 percent to 7 percent," said Jokowi.

From the data presented by Jokowi, the area in North Sumatra where the vaccination rate reaches 82 percent is Pakpak Bharat Regency. Meanwhile, the area where 7 percent of the population is still vaccinated is South Nias Regency.

Jokowi said the high vaccination rate in an area is a good thing. However, there should not be a very wide disparity between each region.

"Be careful. Because we can't do it alone, for example Pematangsiantar, at best 100 percent. But the left and right are still 14 percent, it doesn't mean anything," said Jokowi.

Jokowi then encouraged regional heads with low vaccination rates to immediately improve. Jokowi asked the Pangdam I/BB and the North Sumatra Police Chief to help carry out vaccinations in the area.