VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Four million elementary school students from 20 districts and cities were vaccinated against COVID-19 under a program organized by the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) in collaboration with private companies.

"At first, the target was only one million. However, we managed to vaccinate four million students. I hope the teaching and learning activities that were previously disrupted by the pandemic can return to normal," presidential chief of staff Moeldoko said in a press statement received here on Thursday.

The COVID-19 vaccination program in 20 districts and cities was implemented from February to July 2022, he informed.

"I invite all parties to provide support for programs that can accelerate the process of ending the pandemic. One of them is by accelerating vaccinations," he added.

Meanwhile, KSP's main expert staff, Abraham Wirotomo, said that the participation of the private sector in the school vaccination program contributed to organizing various activities such as games and providing products for children’s entertainment. This helped make the vaccinations more acceptable to children.

“The KSP found that many teachers had to spend money from their own pockets to buy snacks, bread, sweets, or milk to get the children vaccinated. After all, we are dealing with children," he disclosed.

One of the companies that the KSP collaborated with to carry out the student vaccinations was Nestlé Indonesia. Nestlé Indonesia president director Ganesan Ampalavanar expressed his appreciation to the government for allowing his company to contribute to accelerating the vaccination program for Indonesian students.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined six policies to end the COVID-19 pandemic. They pertain to vaccinations, testing and sequencing, adequate health system for COVID-19 pandemic services, preparation for a spike in cases, prevention and control measures, and the delivery of information related to COVID-19 to the public. (Antaranews)