TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the healthcare workers’ vaccination, the Indonesian government will soon progress to the second phase Covid-19 vaccination on February 17 that will focus more on workers in public services and the elderly group, which both are considered at high-risk of Covid-19 exposure.

“The second Covid-19 vaccination phase will kickstart in February and we hope it will be completed by May,” said Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, the Health Ministry’s acting director of disease prevention and control director general on Monday’s press conference.

Rondonuwu said the ministry is eyeing to inject 38,513,446 vaccine doses for over 21 million elderly people and nearly 17 million public services workers.

Those included in the latter category include TNI-Police, firefighters, up to village officials. The second phase of vaccination will also vaccinate traditional market traders, teachers, religion figures, legislators, government officials, and civil servants, security workers, tourism service providers, public transport workers, athletes, and journalists.

“These are groups that have high interaction with people and high mobility which makes them highly exposed to the Covid-19 virus,” said Rondnuwu.

As of now, there are roughly 1,08 million healthcare workers who have been vaccinated from the initial goal of 1.48 million. The government claims this exceeded their expectations as the first phase Covid-19 vaccination had commenced far ahead of the initial deadline.

Also Read: Jakarta Eyes to Complete Covid-19 Vaccination Phase 1 in February 2021

EGI ADYATAMA