TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Defense Forces (TNI) recruited thousands of medical and non-medical volunteers at the TNI Headquarters in Jakarta on Saturday as vaccinators and administrative officers for its mass COVID-19 vaccination drive.

The volunteers comprised doctors, students, youths, and social organization members from Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), TNI said.

They will be assigned as vaccinators and administrative officers for the mass COVID-19 vaccination drive at Gelora Bung Karno Sports Stadium (GBK) and JIExpo Building in Jakarta on Sunday (July 11, 2021).

Assistant to TNI chief for territorial affairs, Major General Madsum, said TNI chief Marshal Hadi Tahjanto ordered the recruitment of volunteers to accelerate the vaccination program.

The TNI chief is targeting to vaccinate over 70 percent of citizens aged above 12 years in and around Jakarta before the commemoration of Independence Day on August 17, 2021 as part of efforts to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, he added.

"For this purpose, we need more than three thousand additional personnel from volunteers comprising medical workers and administrative officers. The registration is ongoing today. We have announced it to partners and community members to register themselves as volunteers," Madsum informed in a press statement.

The TNI's Health Center will coordinate volunteers for the vaccination program organized by TNI and other agencies in and around Jakarta.

Through the mass vaccination drive at GBK Stadium and JIExpo Kemayoran on Sunday, TNI is targeting to vaccinate 50,000 people -- 35,000 at GBK Stadium and 15,000 at JIExpo.

"This (vaccination drive) will continue until we reach 70 percent of herd immunity. Tomorrow, the Indonesian Army Headquarters and the Jakarta Regional Military Command, in cooperation with TNI's Health Center and Four Pillars, will conduct vaccination at 10 district military commands. This is the initiative of the TNI chief to achieve 70 percent of herd immunity soon," Madsum said.

Read: TNI to Assist Govt in Handling Covid-19 Patients

ANTARA