TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Chairman Jusuf Kalla, also known as JK, voiced support to the central government's plan to allow private Covid-19 vaccination as announced by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin. JK said that the plan will expedite the government's vaccination program.

"We are supporting the vaccination program, whether it runs independently or in mutual cooperation because this will speed up the vaccination. To complete the program in one year, it will at least require 1 million doses of vaccine per day, and that is impossible to be done by the government alone," said JK in a written statement on Friday, January 29, 2021.

The former vice president reiterated that private vaccination programs mean a private company provides vaccines for their employees. If the plan is implemented successfully, the firm could return to its normal operation and be economically recovered from the pandemic soon, Kalla added.

In addition, cooperating with the private sector could ease the burden of the government and help poor communities.

"For example, a cigarette factory has up to 25,000 employees, if the vaccine is covered by the company itself, it will be free and ease the burden of the government and the people," Jusuf Kalla said.

EGI ADYATAMA