Today, vaccinations will begin following the issuance of a halal certificate from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and a distribution permit from the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).
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kompas editor
·3 minutes read
AFP/AZWAR IIPANK
This handout photo taken and released on August 11, 2020 by Presidential palace shows President Joko Widodo (C) visiting the Bio Farma Pharmacy that produce vaccines for COVID-19 coronavirus in Bandung, West Java. - Indonesia on August 11, 2020 launched human trials of a Chinese-made coronavirus vaccine with some 1,600 volunteers slated to take part in the six-month study.
Today, vaccinations will begin following the issuance of a halal certificate from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and a distribution permit from the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).
According to plan, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will lead this new chapter in the handling of COVID-19 by becoming the first Indonesian to receive the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac, in collaboration with Bio Farma. Amid post-holiday case surges, the vaccine has become a source of hope to reduce the spread of the virus. However, many conditions still need to be fulfilled for vaccinations to overcome transmission.
Vaccinations are among the greatest achievements of modern medical science, thanks to Edward Jenner, the British doctor who invented the smallpox vaccine in 1796. However, it took 184 years for the world to be declared free of smallpox in 1980.
Several other infectious diseases still need to be prevented through basic immunization.
It should also be noted that until now there have only been two other infectious diseases that can be eradicated through vaccinations apart from smallpox, namely polio – provided there are still cases in two countries – and rinderpest in cows. Several other infectious diseases still need to be prevented through basic immunization.
Complete eradication would take a long time because vaccinations require wide coverage for optimal protection. In the case of COVID-19, a highly infectious virus, at least 70 percent of the population must be inoculated to achieve herd immunity.
AFP PHOTO / INDONESIAN MINISTRY OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES
This handout photo taken on August 4, 2020 and received on August 5 from Indonesia\'s Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) shows SOE Minister Erick Thohir (R) visiting the Bio Farma Pharmacy that will produce vaccines for COVID-19 coronavirus in Bandung, West Java.
The Health Ministry is targeting to inoculate 181.5 million people to achieve herd immunity, whereas the first stage of immunization only covers 1.4 million people. This means that there is still a long way to go to beating the virus.
Therefore, our awareness is needed in contribution to overcoming this pandemic. You can do this by getting vaccinated and continuing to adhere to the 3M protocols (keeping your distance, wearing masks and washing your hands).
On Tuesday (12/1/2021), 836,718 positive cases had been reported. Since December 11, 2020, the daily increase of cases has always been above 5,000 per day, reaching a peak on January 8, 2921 with 10,617 new cases.
If in November 2020, there were 50,000 active cases and then in December there were 120,000 cases, the number that must be treated will continue to increase from around 15,000 to 36,000 patients.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, following a Cabinet meeting on Monday (11/1), stated that hospitals were full and health workers were exhausted. According to the Health Ministry, 30 percent of active cases required hospital treatment. If in November 2020, there were 50,000 active cases and then in December there were 120,000 cases, the number that must be treated will continue to increase from around 15,000 to 36,000 patients.
Thus, as citizens we are obliged to play our part. Strictly implement health protocols. Get vaccinated If you have been listed. Becoming willing to be vaccinated means protecting ourselves and our loved ones who are vulnerable to the virus, while also reducing the burden on health facilities and workers.
This is no time to be selfish and self-righteous. Let us do our part for the country.
