Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - As Tapin commencing a vaccination program of "Vaksin Merdeka Anak" for children aged 6 to 12 on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, it immediately targeting 150 students of public elementary school SDN Rantau Kiwa Satu.
"We only have three months for vaccination of children aged 6 to 12," said Tapin Regent HM Arifin Arpan, Wednesday.
To meet the target of children vaccination, the Tapin government should prepared as many as 20,776 doses of Sinovac vaccine.
"We have (right now) 1,500 doses of vaccine in Tapin," he said.
Nevertheless, Head of Tapin Health Agency Alfian Yusuf was optimistic that the government could carry out the vaccination for children in all 12 sub-districts in Tapin.
"If the vaccine is available then the team ready to carry it out at every school," said.
"Vaksin Merdeka Anak" was launched by the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo virtually to be implemented all at once in 30 provinces.
In Tapin, Regent Arifin said that the district will adapt to implement the program.
Read also: Banjarmasin not to open online learning option
Read also: Balangan reaches 82.01% vaccination, the highest in South Kalimantan
Meanwhile, Head of the South Kalimantan Provincial Police's Health and Medical Division Sr Comr (Kombespol) Drs Ubaidillah said that the need for vaccine for children will depend on the distribution from the central government.
"Vaccines are not sold freely, we cannot buy it. Two days ago we had a meeting to ask for additional Sinovac vaccine, because this is the only type of vaccine recommended for children," he said.
Tapin Police Chief AKBP Ernesto Saise said that for this program parents need to provide understanding for their children about the importance of vaccination.
"Our children are relay for the future of the nation and the country. We hope that the Vaksinasi Merdeka Anak to run well in the jurisdiction of Tapin Police," he said.
The first vaccination went well. The enthusiasm of students who were accompanied by their parents was well responded by Tapin government, Tapin Police, and the health team.
Read also: South Kalimantan's inflation stands at 0.76 percent in December
