VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia received 500 thousand doses of the Sinopharm vaccine at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Banten on Tuesday afternoon, bringing the total Sinopharm doses the country has secured so far to 8 million.

The Sinopharm vaccines have been secured for the Gotong Royong (mutual help) vaccination program, which has resulted from a collaboration between state-owned pharmaceutical enterprises and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

"Indonesia again received 500 thousand doses of the Sinopharm vaccine," Deputy Minister of State-owned Enterprises (SOEs), Pahala Mansury, informed at an online press conference on Tuesday.

"In accordance with the direction of the President, we needed to accelerate the arrival of these vaccines so the citizens can get vaccinated as soon as possible," he added.

Mansury asked business entities or legal entities wishing to vaccinate employees and their families or the surrounding community under the independent vaccination program to contact the SOEs Ministry or the Kadin.

He emphasized that the Gotong Royong program is a joint effort that is meant to support the national vaccination target of 2 million doses per day.

"We hope that people will not hesitate to get vaccinated, either through the Gotong Royong vaccination program or the government's vaccination program," the Deputy Minister said.

Meanwhile, vice chairwoman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Shinta Kamdani, said the strong cooperation between Kimia Farma and the Kadin is expected to accelerate the implementation of Gotong Royong vaccinations for workers, workers' families, and surrounding communities throughout Indonesia.

She said that though she was initially doubtful about the supply of vaccines, the existing vaccine supply is sufficient to be allocated to companies interested in joining the Gotong Royong vaccination program.

"We are grateful that now the need for vaccines can be met, and for that, we will continue to help accelerate vaccinations to achieve the targets set by the government," she remarked.

Shinta also said that entrepreneurs fully support the government's steps and policies in handling COVID-19, including the public activity restrictions (PPKM), which is currently underway. (Antaranews)