TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government planned to administer vaccine booster jabs to the general public starting January 12, 2022. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the booster shots will be given to adults aged over 18 years old based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It will be given six months after the second dose. We have identified that there are around 21 million targets in January,” said Budi at a press conference at the Jakarta Presidential Office, Monday, January 3.

The government also stipulated criteria for regencies/cities allowed to rollout booster vaccinations, viz. regions that have fulfilled 70 percent of the first dose vaccination target and 60 percent of the second dose vaccination target.

“Until now, there are 244 regencies/cities that have met these criteria,” Budi added.

The booster rollout will be given based on the category of PBI (government-subsidized) and non-PBI. Free booster shots will be given to people who are included in the contribution assistance (PBI) program of BPJS Kesehatan. The funds will be sourced from the State Budget (APBN).

Meanwhile, the rest individuals or non-PBI will have to pay for the booster shots.

The government, however, has not yet determined the prices of the booster vaccines and the vaccine types to be used, pending on the study and recommendations from ITAGI (Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization). “Hopefully a decision will be made on January 10,” said Minister Budi.

Read: Minister Airlangga Reveals Target Recipients of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster

DEWI NURITA