VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Feb. 16 - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin accentuated the need for successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to some 181.5 million Indonesians to attain herd immunity in order to free the nation from the clutches of this lethal pandemic.

"This is the largest and most determining vaccination program. It must be successful. We must not fail," Amin stated while addressing attendees of an event held to commend and acknowledge the National Police's public services here, Tuesday.

In order to achieve herd immunity in Indonesia, Vice President Amin reiterated that 70 percent of the country's total population, or some 181.5 million Indonesians, must receive the COVID-19 vaccine jabs.

"I again want to emphasize the importance of not failing in implementing the compulsory vaccination program because it is the most effective way to reduce the COVID-19 infection rate and prevent transmission of the coronavirus," he remarked.

Furthermore, the people, at large, remain obliged to continue to practice strict health protocols, he remarked while reminding that the vaccination program is compulsory, as stipulated in Presidential Regulation No. 14 of 2021.

"In this regard, I appeal to the National Police to secure and support the implementation of the government's national vaccination program," he stated.

On Monday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had also instructed the country's military and police institutions to extend all-out support to the government's policies on COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

The two institutions are also necessitated to actively help apply stringent health protocols in communities.

The public health crisis, caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that struck Indonesia since March 2020, has yet to end, Jokowi noted in his directives at a meeting with top military and police brass early this week.

Firstly, President Jokowi has instructed all elements within the Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) and National Police to ensure that the 3M and 3T health protocols are consistently implemented in communities.

3M stands for wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining physical distance, while 3T stands for COVID-19 swab testing, contact tracing, and treating COVID-19 patients.

The Indonesian government has been grappling to win the battle against the global pandemic of COVID-19 since it announced the country's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.

The government has not only enforced restrictions on public activity in the islands of Java and Bali since January 11, 2021, but is also conducting a nationwide vaccination program that commenced on January 13, 2021.

Since January 26, 2021, Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate has exceeded one million cases.  (Antaranews)