by Dames Alexander Sinaga
JAKARTA, Apr 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – Indonesia accelerated its COVID-19 vaccinations, as Muslims across the archipelago are making their homebound trips to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr festival at the conclusion of the fasting month of Ramadan, which falls on Monday next week.
To date, the government, which is aiming to fully vaccinate 208.26 million people in the country, has administered over 400 million doses of vaccines, the country’s Health Ministry said, adding, more than 199.19 million people have received their first doses, and 164.65 million the second.
Meanwhile, at least 37.45 million people have received booster shots, which have been included in the government’s existing vaccine mandates for exodus travellers. “This is a great achievement, thanks to the support of the entire community,” the Indonesian COVID-19 task force’s spokesperson, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said in a statement yesterday.
Home to more than 270 million people, Indonesia started mass COVID-19 vaccinations in Jan, last year. Tarmizi called on the public to continue to encourage people aged above 60 years, to get vaccinated because they are at the highest risk of serious symptoms.
“For those who are going home for Eid, immediately receive booster shots. Prepare ourselves for good health, so that we can protect ourselves and our families while travelling, upon arrival and when returning from home,” she said.
Since Apr 14, the country recorded less than 1,000 daily cases nationwide, with 412 new cases yesterday. To date, the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country rose to 6.04 million with 156,217 deaths due to the viral disease.– NNN-XINHUA
