Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked officials to improve the accessibility of the COVID-19 booster vaccine to prevent an increase in cases, particularly following the emergence of the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.
The message was reiterated by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin after a limited meeting led by President Widodo at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday.
"Mr. President also gave directions to make this booster (vaccine) easier to (access). Every big event, if possible, is required to use a booster, so that it can ensure that those who participate in the big events are relatively safe,” he said.
Through booster vaccination, the community's immunity could be extended by six months, he added.
"With the booster, the people's immune system will last another six months, until February–March next year. If we can take care of that, then Indonesia can be the first country in 12 months without a spike in cases, because usually every six months, the spike in cases occurs, right," he said.
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The minister further said he expects that through booster vaccinations, a significant increase in COVID-19 cases can be prevented ahead of Eid al-Adha in early July 2022 and Independence Day on August 17.
“So, if the public can be advised, let's (take the) booster vaccination to improve the immune system for the next 6 months. Hopefully, on Eid al-Adha and August 17, we can celebrate the holidays and Independence Day in a good condition," he added.
As of Monday, an increase has been recorded in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, West Java, Banten, and Bali, he pointed out.
However, COVID-19 transmission is still under control, Minister Sadikin said. The indicators of COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia are still below the standard set by the World Health Organization.
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“The WHO set a standard, yes. For level 1 cases, a maximum of 20 cases per week per 100 thousand inhabitants; (thus) Indonesia's condition is still at (level) one, so even though there is an increase, the condition, it is still at level one," he said.
The transmission rate in Indonesia currently stands at 1.36 percent, or far below the WHO standard of 5 percent.
"As for the reproduction rate or effective reproduction, the set standard is above 1, which relatively needs to be monitored, we are still at 1. Thus, from the three transmission indicators, Indonesia's condition is still good," he added.
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