VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said he expects to see 70 percent of the population in each province vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021 to meet the goal of achieving herd immunity.

In a written statement received from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat here on Tuesday, the President expressed the hope that the target would be achieved by each province, including West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), which is scheduled to host the International World Superbike event in November this year.

"We want (the population in) each province to be vaccinated at least 70 percent by the end of this year. We hope that before the event opens, especially those around the venue, can all be inoculated," Widodo remarked during a vaccination event held by K.H Syamsuddin Islamic boarding school, Ponorogo district, East Java.

In a dialogue with regional representatives, he also requested that vaccinations continue to be accelerated so that COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia can be checked immediately.

Meanwhile, representatives from West Nusa Tenggara affirmed that they are ready to speed up daily vaccinations to 15 thousand to support the International World Superbike event.

"We are ready and committed. The National Defense Forces, National Police, government, vaccinators, and our 500 health facilities will (support the vaccination acceleration)," a representative from West Nusa Tenggara said.

Meanwhile, representatives from Palangkaraya city said that the vaccination program in Central Kalimantan is being bolstered by dividing the province into three vaccination zones.

"There is an eastern zone in Das Barito, a central zone in Palangkaraya and surrounding areas, then a western zone in Kotawaringin," a representative from Palangkaraya city said.

The representative also informed that vaccination coverage in Central Kalimantan has continued to increase. According to him, the target achievement has been the result of synergy and collaboration between the National Defense Forces, National Police, and vaccinators.

"There are those who came from the province, the National Defense Forces, House of Representatives, Regional State Intelligence Agency, and port health office. The mass vaccinations will benefit from their support," the representative added. (Antaranews)