Millions Of Elderly Have Not Been Vaccinated With COVID-19, Minister Of Health: They Must Be Convinced

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin highlighted that currently there are still 14 million elderly people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, vaccination coverage for the elderly is still low, namely 7 million people, both recipients of the first and second doses, out of the total target of 21 million elderly vaccinations. Budi thinks that those who have not been vaccinated should be helped to convince them.

"There are still many who have not been vaccinated, some are afraid to go to the hospital, are not invited by their family members, or are reluctant to leave the house, so they must be helped to convince them so that they can be vaccinated immediately," Budi said in a written statement, quoted Monday, October 11.

Budi asked the public to pay attention to their elderly family members whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Family members are also encouraged to be more proactive in providing understanding to their parents and elderly family members so that they want to be vaccinated.

Therefore, immunization for the elderly is important because they have a risk of up to 60 times more severe than children. In fact, said Budi, the group of positive confirmed patients who require treatment at the hospital is dominated by the elderly.

"Because from our data, people who are exposed to COVID-19, enter the hospital and most die who are over 60 years old. So, if there are grandparents who have not been vaccinated, they are immediately taken to a health facility or vaccination center,” said Budi.

Furthermore, Budi admitted that the Ministry of Health is trying to bring vaccination services closer so that they can be reached by all people, especially to make it easier for the elderly group.

Vaccination centers with a capacity of 1000-2000 targets per day continue to be reproduced throughout the country.

Budi said that intensive education and socialization from family members and closest people about the benefits and importance of vaccination is expected to strengthen their determination to get the vaccine.