Compared To Singapore-Malaysia, Indonesia's Second Dose Of Vaccination Is Still Lagging Behind

ILLUSTRATION/DOC. ANTARA

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment and Coordinator of PPKM Java-Bali Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that Indonesia's second dose of vaccination is still lagging behind Singapore and Malaysia.

"Compared to countries in Europe, as well as Singapore and Malaysia, Indonesia's second dose vaccination coverage is still relatively lagging behind," he said, quoted by Antara, Monday, October 25.

Although the coverage is lower, the relaxation of activities carried out in Indonesia is quite a lot. To prevent transmission, Luhut said the government had balanced the relaxation of activities with strict health protocols, high 3M and 3T.

According to Luhut, by maintaining a low case level, existing human resources can be directed to pursue vaccination achievements.

"Although the achievement of vaccination in Java-Bali is already above the national average, the achievement of the second dose in Java-Bali is still not at a safe level, especially for the elderly," he said.

Luhut also reminded the public not to be careless with low cases. As happened in many countries, especially Europe, the increase in cases occurred significantly despite high vaccination rates.

"In these countries, relaxation of social activities is carried out quickly and health protocols are forgotten. I ask you to understand this. If any of our steps look strict, we really consider them. Because when they spread, there will be a riot," he said.

Luhut said the government currently enforces a strict policy but on the other hand it is also loose. For example, by controlling all industries can be opened 100 percent.

However, specifically for the tourism sector which is difficult to control, the government imposes controls. One of them is through the mandatory PCR test policy for airplane passengers.

Learning from the experience of increasing cases in other countries, Indonesia should not relax the steps to strengthen 3T, 3M, and discipline the use of PeduliLindung.

The current saturation in the application of health protocols must be eliminated with stronger supervision and enforcement of Care for Protect in various sectors," concluded Luhut.