VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has estimated that the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country could approach 300 million by the end of this year.

"Today, we have achieved 172 million doses of vaccination, almost 52 percent of our target," he said while delivering a press statement on PPKM (community restrictions) evaluation on Monday afternoon.

As many as 108 million Indonesians have already obtained the first dose of vaccination and 63 million have completed their vaccination, he noted.

In accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo, COVID-19 vaccinations have exceeded 2 million per day, as realized on September 22, 23, 29, and 30, 2021, the minister informed.

The positive trend was also seen on October 13 and 14, 2021, with peak vaccinations reaching 2.2 million doses per day, he said.

"With this rate of injection, it is estimated that by the end of the year, we can approach 300 million injections. Meaning that 168 million of the 208 million targeted recipients can get access to the first injection," he remarked.

The Health Minister estimated that the second dose of vaccinations could reach 122 million people or about 59 percent of the target population of 208 million people aged above 12.

"The President's direction is to expedite vaccination number, especially in the provincial capitals, which are relatively still low," he noted.

Vaccinations also need to be accelerated in cities that are densely populated and plan on holding big events such as the motorbike racing competition at the Mandalika circuit, Central Lombok district, West Nusa Tenggara, Sadikin said. (Antaranews)