VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 The Indonesian government will not compel people who refuse to participate in COVID-19 immunization to get vaccinated, chief of the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPCPEN), Erick Thohir, said on Tuesday.

A survey has shown about 66 percent of Indonesians trust COVID-19 vaccines and are keen to get vaccinated, Thohir said.

“But some 16 percent are refusing to have the vaccine, we cannot force them,” Thohir, who is also the Minister of State Enterprises, said during a webinar here on Tuesday.

The government’s vaccination program is aimed at breaking the chain of transmission of COVID-19 and reducing the mortality rate, he added.

“People ask whether the COVID-19 vaccine is qualified. The government will use vaccines that are already listed under the WHO, passed clinical tests; and, the KPCPEN has been transparent with the MUI, BPOM, and all parties. The Indonesian people’s safety is on top priority,” he said.

According to Thohir, the government will maintain data on vaccine receivers as the COVID-19 vaccine would have to be taken twice.

Therefore, the minister would ensure integration of data from the Health Ministry, the Communication and Informatics Ministry, the Indonesian military, and police.

"Because we realize that personal data privacy must be protected by the government, this program will be conducted under direct coordination of President Joko Widodo. The data will be kept by the government and it will be protected," he assured.

The Indonesian government has consistently expressed confidence in the potential of the COVID-19 vaccine for helping win the fight against the pandemic.

To prepare for the first phase of the COVID-19 immunization program, scheduled in the third week of December, 2020, President Joko Widodo has instructed ministries and agencies to conduct nationwide COVID-19 vaccination simulations. (Antaranews)