South Kalimantan intensifies booster vaccination, books 556,000 recipients

Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - Head of South Kalimantan Health Office Dr Diauddin said that booster vaccine administration is being re-intensified to increase people's immune system as well as pursuing the target this month. 

The Health Agency, both the provincial and the district/city, suported by the police and military, re-activating COVID-19 vaccinationa raids, with second and third vaccine dose as the main target for the public.

Previously, President Joko Widodo has asked officials to improve accessibility of 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 on Monday.

On the same day, the minister confirmed that eight cases of BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants of COVID-19 have been recorded in Indonesia.


Related news: Make COVID booster easier to access, President tells officials

Diauddin here on Wednesday said 556,000 people have recorded to receive the third vaccine dose or booster in 13 districts and cities in the province.

The booster vaccine coverage has so far reached 18 percent of the total 3.9 million targets in the province. Whereas 94.19 percent had obtained the first vaccine dose and 74.97 percent for the second dose.

"By activating raids, we record a daily increase of 5,000 people," he said.

He reminded the public about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, especially booster vaccine, considering the pandemic has not over yet, and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants have been recorded in Indonesia.

Minister of Health said through booster vaccination, the community's immunity could be extended by six months.
 
"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.

Meanwhile, base on data of the Health Agency on Wednesday two fresh cases of COVID-19 recorded, namely from Tanah Laut and Kotabaru, bringing the total case to 84,341 in the province, and 27 patients are under treatment.

South Kalimantan has noted the total recoveries of 81,778 people or 96.96 percent, and 2.536 people or 3.01 percent died.

Read also: Tanah Bumbu hits 100 percent vaccination, zero case of COVID-19