VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 The 1.2 million vaccines recently procured by the government will be prioritized for groups that are most at risk of contracting COVID-19, especially medical personnel, said Dr. Masdalina Pane from the Indonesian Epidemiologists Association (PAEI).

“So, what we need to know is that the vaccine for now is a vaccine for emergency conditions, not for normal conditions," Pane, M.Si, who is head of professional development at PAEI, said at a press conference for the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 at Graha BNPB in Jakarta on Tuesday.

She said the Indonesian government has imported 1.2 million doses of Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine. However, the current stock of the vaccines is not sufficient for them to be administered to all Indonesian people, she pointed out.

Therefore, the vaccines will be prioritized for the groups of people who are most at risk of infection, and particularly medical personnel, she explained.

“So, the vaccine is not to be given to the whole community. But, it is to be given to groups at risk. The first (group) is, of course, the one with a higher risk, (and that) is health workers, because they are in constant contact with those who are confirmed (COVID-19 patients) or unknown, but have symptoms (of the virus). Suspect (cases), we call them,” she said.

The next group that would get priority in vaccination will be people who provide services to the community, and then people with high mobility, she informed.

"So this (the vaccine) is not for all people. Because this is an emergency condition, the government's priority is to (inoculate) those who are at risk," Masdalina said.

She then appealed to the public to remain disciplined in implementing the 3M protocols, namely wearing masks, washing hands with soap, maintaining distance and avoiding crowds, to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is not expected to disappear any time soon. Therefore, by applying the 3M protocol, communities would be able to carry out activities, while continuing to live with COVID-19, Masdalina said. (Antaranews)