JAKARTA, Jul 23 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia was mulling the rollout of the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines, as the pandemic is predicted to last longer than expected, and the antibodies decline after six months of inoculation, Health Ministry spokesman, Mohammad Syahril, said yesterday.
“Some countries have started it. Indonesia is planning it, as the pandemic lasts,” Syahril said.
Vulnerable groups, such as medical workers, people with comorbidity, the elderly, and public workers, will be prioritised to receive the fourth dose.
The COVID-19 vaccination rate in Indonesia has reached 97 percent for the first dose, 81 percent for the second dose, and 26 percent for the third dose.
Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, said, a fourth dose of the vaccine is still needed, to reduce hospitalisation and mortality.
The presence of the Omicron BA.2.75 subvariant will make the pandemic duration last longer, while the transmission of BA.4 and BA.5 has not yet reached its peak, he said.
“I predict the vulnerable or crisis period from this fourth wave will last until Oct,” said Budiman.
Indonesia confirmed 4,834 new cases yesterday, bringing the total tally to 6,159,328, with accumulated recoveries of 5,964,196 and deaths of 156,893.– NNN-ANTARA
