Banjarmasin begins vaccination for elderly

A number of elderly residents wait for their turns for COVID vaccination at the Cempaka Community Health Center, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Monday (March 1, 2021). (ANTARA PHOTO/Bayu Pratama S/wsj.)

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Head of Banjarmasin Health Office Machli Riyadi stated that vaccination for elderly and the public is beginning today at the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination.

"The implementer of COVID-19 vaccination for elderly and the public are community health centers (puskesmas)," he said here on Monday (March 1, 2021).

Machli Riyadi himself directly monitored the implementation of the second phase vaccination, one of which was in Puskesmas Cempaka on Jalan Cempaka Besar, Kertak Baru Ilir Urban Village, Central Banjarmasin.

"The vaccination at Puskesmas Cempaka runs well and smooth, quite a lot of elderly people came to be inoculated," he said.

The vaccination is carried out gradually by applying strict health protocol, there are no crowds that worrying about increasing the spread of coronavirus.

Related news: Vaccination in mutual cooperation must be free of charge: Minister
Related news: Elderly don't be afraid to get vaccinated: DPRD speaker

Banjarmasin in the second phase of the vaccination program received 1,490 vials of the Sinovac vaccine or equivalent to 14,900 doses, while the target number is 7,450 people for twice inoculation.

Machli Riyadi acknowledged that the availability of vaccines did not cover all targets. "Data on our 26 puskesmas the number of elderly people is 49,780," he pointed out.

Of course, he said, the government would provide adequate vaccine for all elderly in the city, thus the inoculation was carried out in stages until all city residents get it.

"We all have to support this program because this vaccine has been declared safe, and halal," he said.