Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) - The North Sumatra Provincial Government plans to begin implementing the COVID-19 vaccination program from January 14, 2021, with priority accorded to healthcare workers.
"It's planned to commence on the 14th (of January)," North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi announced at the North Sumatra COVID-19 Handling Task Force's Command Post, here on Tuesday.
The targeted vaccine recipients in the first stage of the program include 72,451 healthcare workers in 33 districts and cities of North Sumatra.
The governor said healthcare workers on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19 will be given priority in the immunization drive.
He, however, said the province has received only 40 thousand doses of China-based Sinovac Biotech's vaccine so far.
Indonesia has received a total of three million doses of the vaccine so far.
The Indonesian government will provide the first symbolic dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, to be led by President Joko Widodo, on January 13, 2021, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian declared in Jakarta on Tuesday.
In spite of a vaccine becoming available, the minister advised Indonesians to continue applying the 3M health protocols of wearing masks, washing hands, and practicing social distancing.
Karnavian also urged optimal dissemination of information on mass vaccinations so there is no chaos in the community.
"Do not let chaos arise since vaccines are like gold. There can be seizures, crowds, etc,” the minister emphasized.
The minister urged regional heads to formulate regulations to specifically address situations that can potentially lead to crowding and to coordinate with the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), Police, and Satpol PP (civilian security guards), as well as establish a COVID-19 Command Post in each area.
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