VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged residents to get their COVID-19 booster vaccine to boost the body's immunity against the disease when the efficacy of the first two vaccine doses starts to decline.

"During the pandemic, vaccination is also important. Those who are yet to be vaccinated, go get your vaccine; while those who have received their first vaccine dose, get your second dose; and those who have completed the two doses, promptly get your booster dose," Jokowi stated in a video broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on Tuesday.

"All vaccine doses are offered for free, as vaccination is important for our safety," the president remarked.

Indonesia is currently experiencing a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases due to the newly emerging Omicron variant, he remarked.

"Hence, we must be vigilant, yet must not overreact, to the current situation. We must be careful and vigilant, but we must neither arouse fear nor panic," Jokowi emphasized.

The president pointed out that some medical researches, including a WHO report about the virus variant, revealed that the Omicron variant's transmission rate is higher than other virus strains.

"Yet most patients infected by the variant reported only minor symptoms, and they have recovered even without hospitalisation. (Despite this,) we must remain vigilant and not become complacent," he affirmed.

Jokowi also urged residents, with no urgent business, to refrain from engaging in activities at crowded places and those, who can work from home, to continue with that mode of working.

"I also suggest those who currently can work from home to continue working from home," the president remarked.

Authorities have begun offering booster vaccine doses since last Wednesday (Jan 12, 2022) for the elderly and in regions where the coverage for the first and second vaccine doses had reached a minimum of 70 and 60 percent, respectively.

The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) has also granted emergency use authorisation to five vaccine brands -- Sinovac/CoronaVac, Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Zifivax -- to be used as booster vaccines.  (Antaranews)