Expatlifeindonesia.com, JAKARTA – The third dose of vaccine or booster vaccine which was originally planned to be paid for, this time was decided to be free by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jokowi.
Reporting from a video uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube, Tuesday (11/1/2022), Jokowi explained, “I have decided that the third dose of vaccine is free for all Indonesians. Because I emphasize that public safety is the most important thing.”
The administration of this third dose of vaccine will begin on August 12, 2021, and prioritize the elderly and groups who are vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus.
“Giving the third dose of vaccine is very important because the virus continues to mutate,” he said. The President also explained the requirements needed to receive this third dose of vaccine, namely that the candidate who received the vaccine must have carried out the second dose of vaccine within more than six months.
The President did not forget to remind the public to always obey and implement health protocols, maintain distance, wear masks, and wash hands. Jokowi added, “The key to getting through the Covid-19 pandemic is vaccination and obeying health protocols. This is being our responsibility”
Although according to the president, the third dose of vaccine is free for all circles of society, the Center of Reform on Economics (Core) has asked the government to keep making priority vaccine targets so that they are more effective and pointed.
According to Core Executive Director, Mohammad Faisal explained, “This step must be taken to anticipate the low health budget allocation of Rp. 256 trillion or 9.4 percent of the total state expenditure, in amount of Rp. 2,714.2 trillion”.
He added that this third stage of vaccination must also be adjusted to the ability of the state budget in 2022.
