Community Participation Crucial in Vaccination Rollout

KOMPAS/MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

A number of residents received the Covid-19 vaccination organized by Kompas Gramedia with Kalbe Farma at Bale Rame Hall, Sabilulungan Cultural Building Complex, Soreang District, Bandung Regency, West Java, Tuesday (14/9/2021).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The diverse conditions of society require different approaches to getting people to participate in the Covid-19 vaccination program. It is crucial to improve cooperation between community leaders and health workers.

In a recent survey on Covid-19 vaccination by Change.org Indonesia, Katadata Insight Center and KawalCovid.id, 60.5 percent of respondents expected active involvement of neighborhood administrators, locally known as RT and RW heads, in disseminating information on the pandemic. Information is also expected from non-government public information channels.

The survey was held from 6 to 21 August, featuring 8,299 respondents. According to Katadata Insight Center research manager Vivi Zabkie, the survey shows that public enthusiasm to participate in Covid-19 vaccination is increasing. Health and medical authorities are seen as trusted influencers in building a positive public attitude toward vaccination.

"It is important that updated information is available in the neighborhood through active participation of RT/RW heads," Vivi said in Jakarta on Wednesday (15/9/2021).

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KawalCovid19.id cofounder Elina Ciptadi urged the availability of vaccine supply and the simplification of the vaccination process given that residents who sought to be vaccinated had complained about complicated procedures. They were deterred by the prospect of having to wait in a long and crowded queue.

As many as 17.9 percent of the respondents said they did not know how and where to register for vaccination while 15.9 percent of them said they had registered only to find out that the vaccination quota had been met.

"Don\'t let people who are enthusiastic about being vaccinated become discouraged because of the difficulties in accessing the information or problems in supply and registration procedures," Elina said.

Kompas/Priyombodo

Yahya, a clown with his son. present to entertain residents who will take part in the Tangerang City vaccination activity at RW 04 Sudimara Pinang, Pinang District, Tangerang City, Banten, Tuesday (14/9/2021).

Health Ministry spokesperson for Covid-19 vaccination, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, admitted that many residents did not have enough knowledge on the benefits of being vaccinated, hence urging the Covid-19 task force to step up the dissemination of vaccination information.

She pointed out the importance of taking an adjusted approach when it came to communicating information, saying that while social media and conventional media were helpful in reaching urban people, for rural communities, educative information would be more appropriately imparted through the outreach team members, such as community leaders.

“We also hope that people are waiting patiently for their turn to get vaccinated. Just 45 percent of the vaccination target has been met. So, the program is being rolled out based on priorities," he said.

Single-jab vaccination

Meanwhile, a written statement from a civil society coalition, which is concerned about vaccination access for outlaying communities and vulnerable people, says the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, which administers single-jab inoculation, will be more efficient for the people living in remote regions as well as those with disabilities.

Apart from being more effective in the distribution, post-immunization follow-up monitoring is also said to be easier to do.

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Indonesia received a shipment of 500,000 doses of the Janssen vaccine from the Netherlands on Saturday (11/9). The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency’s (BPOM) reported test on the Janssen vaccine has revealed a 67.2 percent effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing Covid-19 infection and it has endorsed its emergency use for citizens over 18.

The administered single shot gives Janssen an edge over other vaccine brands and offers more efficient vaccination, especially for outside Java, according to Philanthropy Indonesia executive director Hamid Abidin. "This efficiency is beneficial for the government and vaccine recipients," he said.

This article was translated by Musthofid.