Creating Hope through Vaccination

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Health workers inject vaccines into residents who take part in simultaneous vaccinations in Korumba Village, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Monday (21/6/2021). Hundreds of residents enthusiastically participated in the vaccination.

People from various backgrounds came in groups to participate in a COVID-19 vaccination drive held in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. Even though most did not really understand the benefits of vaccines, they wanted hope in the midst of a troubling pandemic.

Taking Akila, 3, his eldest child, Mudali, 57, left the Korumba village office in Mandonga, Kendari, on Monday. The drizzle made the father of three quicken his step.

He held a piece of paper with data from the COVID-19 vaccination card in his right hand. His left hand did not let go of his youngest child\'s hand. His wife, Dewi Kusmanisa, 42, followed holding her by the arm.

"I was just vaccinated. My wife too. Anyhow, just come so you can get the vaccine," said Mudali, who works as a scavenger.

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At 3 a.m., Mudali leaves the house to collect garbage. Carrying a wooden cart, he targets a number of trash bins on Kendari\'s main roads. Usually he comes home before noon.

However, that routine did not apply on June 21. He learned from the head of the neighborhood unit (RT) where he lives in Korumba village that there would be vaccinations at the village office. He and his wife agreed to go. So before 7 a.m., he and his cart arrived at his house.

The man, who hails from East Java, wore one of his cleanest shirts, a T-shirt from a well-known coffee brand. His wife was wearing a French country T-shirt. The child was wearing a dress purchased from a secondhand clothing market in the Kendari area.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Mudali (57), a black hat, with his wife and children return home after vaccination in Korumba Village, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Monday (21/6/2021).

Before 8 a.m., the three arrived at the village office. They filled out the forms provided and then sat quietly waiting in line. After passing through the screening table, the vaccine was injected into his right arm.

Mudali said he did not really know the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine. So far, what he knew was that cases were increasing, including in his region of origin in East Java. In addition, he thought the vaccine would make him healthier.

"The important thing is the vaccine first – to be healthier and not get sick easily when being exposed to the virus. Moreover, it\'s free," he said.

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With his job meeting lots of people and dealing with trash, he did not want to catch COVID-19. Even if he was exposed to the virus, he wanted to stay healthy and return to normal activities.

This is not to mention the large amount of information that claims that in order to process documents with the government, a person must have a vaccination card. "Later, we would not get Raskin assistance or any other assistance," he added.

Enthusiastic

Just like Mudali, Witatik Lestari, 59, did not really understand the function of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, like the smallpox or polio vaccines, which she has taken, the mother of three children understood it could be useful for preventing disease.

"That\'s why coming early in the morning. My leg hurts, but it\'s okay. The important thing is to be able to participate and be healthier,” she said, pointing to her right leg which was unable to move normally.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Witatik Lestari (59), rides a motorcycle taxi after undergoing vaccination in Korumba Village, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Monday (21/6/2021). Hundreds of residents enthusiastically participated in the vaccination.

A few years ago, she had a stroke and lost the ability to walk. She regularly visits the hospital and the doctor to check her health and undergo therapy.

The homemaker wants her health to return normal. In the midst of the pandemic, she rarely leaves the house for fear of being exposed to the virus.

"My mother was enthusiastic about going. We have been ready since the morning, so we came before the vaccination started,” said Wa Ode Hilmawati, 24, Witatik\'s youngest child.

Hilmawati, who also wanted to participate in the vaccination drive, was forced to cancel her vaccination. Because she suffered from asthma, the health workers did not allow the mother of two to participate in the vaccination.

"Of course I’m disappointed. At first I was afraid [of being vaccinated] because I heard the news that many people had died. But, now I wanted to take part, and when I arrived, I was not allowed because of asthma," she said.

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Several cases of events after immunization (KIPI) did occur in Southeast Sulawesi. La Hinu, 59, a junior high school teacher in Baubau, died about six hours after undergoing the first stage of vaccination.

However, the Southeast Sulawesi Regional KIPI Commission found that La Hinu had died of a heart attack and diabetes, not from vaccination. La Hinu had a history of diabetes and decline in kidney function.

The vaccinations carried out at the Korumba village office were initiated by the Kendari city government together with the police.

Kendari Mayor Sulkarnain Kadir said his party, along with other agencies, was trying to keep vaccinations in Kendari moving at a fast pace.

“The lowest-level government units are involved to invite people to participate in vaccination. Alhamdulillah [thank God], the community responded and wanted to be vaccinated," he said.

The enthusiasm of the citizens to participate in the vaccination program was a joint effort as well as a positive signal for the end of the pandemic.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.