Minister Of Health: Free COVID-19 Vaccination Ends December 31, 2023

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin when delivering a statement to reporters at the Stunting Coordination Meeting at the Jakarta City Hall, Monday (24/7/2023). (ANTARA/Siti Nurhaliza).

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the government's financing to eliminate the COVID-19 vaccination program ended on December 31, 2023.

"We are asked until the end of this year (the cost of vaccination) is still borne by the state," said Budi Gunadi Sadikin after attending the Stunting Coordination Meeting at Jakarta City Hall, reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 24.

The Minister of Health said that community groups at high risk and BPJS Health Contribution Assistance (PBI) recipients would be exempt from the provision of paid COVID-19 vaccination starting in early 2024.

"The government's policy is directed if this is a high risk and he has been covered by BPJS Kesehatan, he goes there. If not, he still buys his own normal like other health services," he said.

According to the Minister of Health, COVID-19 vaccination is still needed even though Indonesia has entered the endemic era announced by President Joko Widodo on June 21, 2023.

The goal is to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and avoid severe symptoms when infected, so there is no need to undergo intensive care at the hospital.

"This is the same as meningitis, if it is still necessary to give it regularly, given to whom? Yes, people who are at high risk," he said.

Minister of Health Budi ensured that the free COVID-19 vaccination for all Indonesians this year is still valid until December 31, 2023.

Director General (Dirjen) of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health Maxi Rein Rondonuwu said the latest regulations related to free vaccinations starting January 1, 2024, are only targeting high-risk community groups and BPJS Health PBI participants.

A number of high-risk groups referred to include groups of elderly people with comorbidities, young adults with comorbidities, especially obesity, and people with immune disorders such as HIV.

"We are compiling regulations in the form of regulations from the Minister of Health regarding the new Presidential Decree for the endemic period. The target is January 1, 2024, it will be implemented," he said.