COVID-19 Cases Are Starting To Increase, Community Animo For Booster Vaccines Is Also Increasing

Illustration of the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine. (photo via Antara)

The public interest in the Riau Islands Province to get a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination has increased. Based on daily reports from vaccination officers in Riau Islands, Saturday, November 19, the number of residents who received the third or booster dose of vaccine reached 729 people.

Spokesperson for the Riau Islands Province COVID-19 Task Force, Tjetjep Yudiana, stated that the achievement of booster dose vaccination until now is 751,008 people or 54.68 percent.

"Usually, there are dozens of people per day, but since the two weeks it has increased sharply," said Tjetjep as quoted by Antara.

The Riau Islands Provincial Government is currently pursuing booster vaccination achievements to prevent the risk of Omicron XBB transmission and its derivatives.

"We encourage all RT and RW and village heads to move together to invite residents to vaccinate boosters," he said.

While the achievement of the first dose of vaccination was 1,789,908 people or 99.29 percent and the second dose was 1,537,687 people or 85.30 percent.

"Health workers who have received the second booster dose of vaccine have reached 7,981 people or 56.52 percent," he said.

Head of the Riau Islands Health Service Muhammad Bisri said residents should take full advantage of the COVID-19 vaccine stock that is still available. The vaccine has a time limit for use so it must be used quickly.

"A few months ago there were thousands of expired vaccines due to the expiration date. This is due to the fact that the number of people who received the vaccine was far less than the stock of vaccines. Alhamdulillah, now many residents are aware of the importance of vaccination for themselves," he said.

Bisri reminded again that the vaccine is not to meet the departure requirements, but to improve the immune system. People who realize vaccines have the benefits of reducing the risk of COVID-19, usually not delaying receiving the vaccine.

"Yes, it is wrong if there is a thought that a vaccine is forced to meet the requirements for departure, even though the vaccine is for personal safety," he said.