President Jokowi Scraps Self-paid COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Markus Wisnu Murti
Jumat, 16 Juli 2021 21:14 WIB
President Joko Widodo (center), together with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin (left) and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (right), gives a statement to journalists after reviewing the drive thru vaccination program at the Pajajaran Sports Hall, Bogor City, West Java, Friday, March 19, 2021. The President hopes that other regions will be able to imitate the drive thru vaccination model in Bogor City. ANTARA PHOTOS / Arif Firmansyah
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has officially revoked one of the country’s controversial pandemic policies known as the self-paid COVID-19 vaccination program. This program sought to sell vaccines to the public via state pharmaceutical firm Kimia Farma.
The cancellation of the program was announced on Friday (7/16) by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung at the State Palace.
“After considering the inputs and responses from members of the public, the President has strictly ordered the cancellation of the self-paid vaccination program initially intended to be distributed by Kimia Farma,” Pramono Anung wrote in the statement.
Following this announcement, COVID-19 vaccinations will continue under the existing mechanism, in which people can get their COVID-19 jabs for free.
Meanwhile, the Gotong Royong vaccination program will proceed under its initial method, which allows private companies to pay for COVID-19 vaccines for their employees.
