VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Feb. 16 - The government will commence the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination in the third week of February 2021, targeting public service officers and senior citizens.

Acting Director General of Disease Control and Prevention of the Health Ministry Maxi Rein Rondonuwu stated here during an online discussion, Monday, that the second phase of vaccination has targeted more than 38.5 million people, of which 21 million are senior citizens.

"The second phase of vaccination will be started with traders in the Tanah Abang Market on Wednesday (Feb 17)," he revealed.

Vaccination, targeting 55 thousand market traders, will run for six days.

Rondonuwu noted that the second phase of vaccination has targeted people with high direct interaction, mobility, and vulnerability to COVID-19 infection.

"If we can protect them from COVID-19, then we can lower the transmission rate and reduce the work load in hospitals," he remarked.

Initially, the vaccination program, in its second phase, will only prioritize public service officers.

However, the government has placed the elderly group in the target group for vaccination on grounds that they are at high risk of COVID-19 infection, with high mortality risk.

The public service officers comprise military and police personnel, teachers, civil servants, public transportation workers, motorcycle-taxi drivers, and traders.

The second phase of vaccination is expected to be completed in May 2021.

"In May 2021, we will start the vaccination for other groups of the society," he stated.

Vaccination is part of the government's efforts to curb COVID-19 transmission.

In addition to vaccination, various steps have been undertaken to prevent further spread of the virus, including massive campaigning of health protocols; applying travel restrictions; and improving the tracing, testing, and treatment of COVID-19 cases. (Antaranews)