Semarang City Government Encourages Acceleration Of Booster Vaccinations Ahead Of Ramadan-Eid

SEMARANG - The Semarang City Government, Central Java, has pushed for the acceleration of the third dose of vaccination (booster) ahead of Eid al-Fitr to anticipate a spike in COVID-19 cases after the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijri.

Head of the Semarang City Health Office, Abdul Hakam, said that currently the achievement of the third dose of vaccination in the capital city of Central Java has only reached about 30 percent.

"There are still 70 percent of the target that must be vaccinated," he said, quoted by Antara, Monday, March 21.

According to him, the acceleration of the third dose of vaccination must be carried out to reduce the number of infections that are expected to occur after Lebaran

This, he continued, was based on the experience of an increase in cases that occurred during last year's Eid.

The increase in community mobility during Eid, he said, was directly proportional to the increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Efforts to accelerate the third dose of vaccination, according to him, will be carried out, including through a door-to-door vaccination program.

In addition, he continued, the Semarang City Government has also started activating a 24-hour vaccination booth at the mayor's official residence.

He said education and socialization related to post-immunization follow-up events for the third dose of vaccine needed to be conveyed to the public.

"In fact, if there is a reaction, such as fever or body aches, this is natural because vaccines work in the body. This is something that must be built in the community," he said.