Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Health is considering requests for COVID-19 vaccination activities to be conducted at night during the fasting month of Ramadan from mid-April to mid-May this year.
"Are we ready (for vaccination at night)? We will discuss and finalize it further," the ministry's spokesperson for vaccination, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated during a webinar on "Roadmap to Herd Immunity" held online by Forum Alenia here on Wednesday.
A fatwa, or legal opinion, of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Number 13 of 2021 on vaccination for COVID-19 during fasting stipulates that the intramuscular injection mechanism deployed for vaccination does not invalidate a person's fast as long as it does not cause harm.
Referring to this provision, the Ministry of Health has prepared all vaccination mechanisms in the day during Ramadan.
Related news: COVID-19 vaccination can be conducted safely while fasting: VP Amin
The MUI Fatwa Commission earlier recommended that the government be able to administer COVID-19 vaccinations at night to cater to vaccine recipients, with weak physical condition, after undergoing fasting.
"The government can vaccinate against COVID-19 at night during Ramadan for Muslims, who fast during the day, as a precautionary measure to address the problem of weak physical condition of the fasting vaccine recipients," Head of the Fatwa Division of MUI Asrorun Niam Sholeh remarked.
The suggestion could become an alternative recommendation when the daytime process cannot be conducted, according to Tarmizi.
The consideration is that Ramadan worship activities are conducted by Muslims not only in the morning, afternoon, and evening, but also throughout the day and also until night.
Related news: Ma'ruf Amin administered second COVID-19 jab at residence
