Minister Of Communication And Information Johnny G. Plate Asks His Men To Immediately Inject Booster Vaccines

Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G. Plate. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Information (Kominfo) Johnny G. Plate asked the ministry's employees to take the third or booster dose of vaccination, after Omicron cases in the country continued to rise.

"President Jokowi has ordered that those who are fully vaccinated and it is time to get a booster vaccine must be vaccinated immediately," Johnny said in a press statement quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 5.

President Joko Widodo at a limited meeting with ministers a few days ago asked the public to take booster vaccinations to increase body immunity and suppress the spread of COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant.

"The government has prepared to anticipate the spread of the new variant of COVID-19. However, to increase protection I have ordered all employees to take booster vaccinations and continue to follow strict health protocols in their daily activities, especially when working in the office," said Johnny.

The third dose of vaccine is proven to be safe and effective in increasing the body's immunity. In fact, according to the results of government clinical trials, giving booster vaccines to research subjects did not show any severe side effects or Post Immunization Adverse Events (AEFI).

One of the considerations is to speed up the third dose of vaccination within the Ministry of Communication and Information because the number of employees infected with COVID-19 has increased in the past week.

"I have ordered to arrange work restrictions, but that is not enough. There are still infected, so there are around 123 people recorded at the head office. Therefore, one step is being pursued by accelerating the implementation of this booster vaccination," said Johnny.

Around 600 Kominfo employees are vaccinated every day. The Minister of Communication and Information targets that at the initial stage all employees at the head office and around Jakarta can take booster vaccinations.

The administration of the third dose of vaccination in Indonesia has started since January 12, 2022. The government urges all people to participate in the follow-up vaccination program so that immunity is maintained and the transmission of COVID-19 is controlled.