Illustration: Vaccine for COVID-19. (Image via University of Southern California)

Indonesian Government hires 739,000 people for COVID-19 vaccination program

Indonesian task force for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic stated that the government has done some preparations for COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia, from logistics to human resources.

On Thursday, the spokesman & coordinator of the COVID-19 task force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, quoting the data from Health Ministry, stated through the Presidential Secretariat's official YouTube account that the preparation of cold chain protocols has been well-maintained, reaching 97%, to keep the quality and efficacy of the vaccine. Moreover, the human resources consisting of 739,722 general practitioners, medical specialists, and nurses are ready. The vaccinators in Community Health Centres (Puskesmas) and hospitals are 23,145 or at 1:20 ratio throughout Indonesia. 

Furthermore, Wiku stated that a successful vaccination means a medically safe and effective vaccine based on preparation and well-planned implementation. Therefore, the spokesman also reminded the Indonesian people to maintain COVID-19 health protocols while waiting for the vaccine to come. Addressing the pandemic, Wiku said that the success to solve COVID-19 depends on the people's discipline to maintain health protocols.

He asserted that currently, the vaccine candidates are undergoing the third clinical phase to ensure the safety, side effect, and safe dosage for human use. After that, the candidates are also waiting for document transfer by the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM). Indonesian government emphasized the importance of meticulousness and health standard on COVID-19 vaccine. After the candidate passed the health trial, BPOM will issue emergency use of authorization.

Moreover, COVID-19 task force keeps asking the local governments to increase testing, and people to test themselves at nearest health centres should they experience COVID-19 symptoms. According to the provision by the Transportation Ministry, testing is mandatory before and after travel.

Source: https://bit.ly/3ec1eDS