VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo has urged the governments of three districts -- Tegal, Brebes, and Pemalang -- to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations in a bid to achieve the 70-percent target in two weeks.

"I have contacted three district heads because the vaccination percentage is still low despite them having surpassed 50 percent. We want an average of 70 percent just like what the president has ordered," he noted here, Wednesday.

Pranowo emphasized that the regional governments in those three districts must be able to expedite COVID-19 vaccinations, especially since the number of available vaccines has increased.

"The president has provided many facilities. Now, there is no excuse, as there are plenty of vaccines (available)," he remarked.

The governor stressed that President Joko Widodo's order regarding vaccination coverage must be executed at the earliest. He affirmed that the provincial government of Central Java would help if the governments of those three districts were unable to expedite the vaccinations.

"I think what the president has conveyed must be executed by us. We will assist the three districts if they cannot (accelerate vaccinations)," he affirmed.

Pranowo noted that the three districts were given a target to accelerate their vaccinations for the next two weeks.

"I urge that vaccinations in these two weeks be accelerated. If they cannot do it, we will help the three regions, so that there is a significant increase," he stated.

In a bid to boost immunity against COVID-19, the Indonesian government had launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.

According to data provided by the Health Ministry, as of December 8, 2021, nearly 143,794,042 citizens have received their first COVID-19 shot, while 100,459,272 have been fully vaccinated against the virus. (Antaranews)