TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Civil Society Coalition urged the government to revoke the regulation on the Gotong Royong's paid Covid-19 vaccination for individuals. This latest policy was considered as the government’s failure to carry out vaccination for all people.

“This confirms that the government conducts unethical practices for selling Covid-19 vaccine which is a public good to protect the health of the citizens,” said the coalition in a written statement on Sunday, July 11.

The coalition asserted that amid the sluggish implementation of the vaccine program and limited supply of vaccines, the government should optimize public access to vaccines.

The coalition also deemed that such practice of self-paid vaccination is a violation of the public rights to health that are guaranteed by the Constitution. It is also clearly a form of lies and inconsistency of President Jokowi’s vow in December 2020 that the vaccine is free for all.

The coalition also accused the government of manipulating the term ‘herd immunity’ to gain benefits by kicking off paid vaccination program.

“Thus, we, the civil coalition for health access justice, urge the government to revoke the paid vaccination program.” it asserted.

The civil coalition, consisting of LaporCovid19, YLBHI, Covid Survivor Indonesia (CSI), WALHI, the Protection Desk Indonesia, and KawalCovid19, went on to say that the Covid-19 vaccines are procured by the government using public funds or through donations from other countries, such as CEPI/COVAX.

Read: Indonesia Sets Sinopharm Complete Vaccination Price at Rp879,140

EGI ADYATAMA