TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir asserted that the government would continue to intensify COVID-19 vaccination in a bid to achieve national herd immunity.

"As you can see, the government has done its utmost to speed up vaccination program to achieve herd immunity. We continue to intensify (the vaccination)," Thohir said in a statement obtained here.

The minister has observed three vaccination centers in Central Java and East Java opened simultaneously on Sunday.

The government, he said, has involved the military and police, state-owned enterprises, and local administrations in the vaccination drives.

He called on the public to give positive response to the efforts to stem COVID-19 transmission by participating in the mass vaccination.

Some cabinet ministers presented in the occasion including Minister of State Secretary Pratikno and Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi.

The "Merdeka" vaccination drive in Cepu, Central Java, has involved state-owned companies PT Pertamina, Jasa Raharja and Telkom as well as Central Java's Transportation Office, the Brawijaya Military Command, and the Central Java Police.

Two other vaccination centers are in Bojonegoro, East Java, that involved state-owned port and harbour services company Pelindo III, East Java Transportation Office, and Brawijaya Military Command.

"The involvement of the central government, state-owned companies, and other institutions is a form of common responsibilities in line with President Joko Widodo's guidance," Thohir said.

As many as 15 thousand vaccines were prepared for mass vaccination in the three locations.

The centers would serve local residents including senior citizens and students, as well as workers at public service offices and Cepu oil and gas wells.

The government has targeted to curb the COVID-19 virus effective reproduction number (Rt) to less than one and positivity rate to below five percent.

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ANTARA