TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the epidemiology surveillance and immunization unit at the Jakarta Health Office, Ngabila Salama, expressed the difficulty to make the public aware of the second booster in increasing antibodies and preventing prolong Covid-19 and death. According to her, residents will be more eager to be vaccinated if there are rewards and punishments.

"The community is more enthusiastic when it comes to rewards and punishment," he said in her text message, Thursday, December 8, 2022.

The Jakarta Health Agency noted about 434,928 elderly people have received the third dose of Covid vaccine or 57.13 percent. While there was only 53.733 elderly had been injected with the fourth dose of the vaccine, or the second booster.

The total recipients for the second booster vaccine in Jakarta were 128,131 people or 14.67 percent of the aimed target. This number consists of 74,398 health workers and 53,733 elderly. The data was collected as of December 8 at 09:00 Jakarta time.

Ngabila considers the health checks via the PeduliLindungi application need to be tightened in surveillance for all activities, especially for the elderly. She also expects that the Covid-19 vaccination would be disseminated at the offices and schools.

"To ensure that everyone at home, including the elderly and children, has been fully vaccinated," she said.

The Jakarta Government is attempting to accelerate the second booster vaccination for the elderly and health workers. Ngabila explained that the elderly could receive the fourth dose of Covid-19 shot if they have received the first booster vaccine for more than six months.

"Please come to the nearest vaccine site for the fourth vaccination even though the ticket has not been issued on PeduliLindungi," she explained.

Vaccination Services Operate at Night

Furthermore, she conveys the Jakarta Health Agency is again opening the vaccination sites in the afternoon and at night. This aims to boost the target coverage for the third and fourth doses of the Covid-19 vaccination.

The Covid-19 vaccination service is open at 44 sub-district health centers (puskesmas) throughout Jakarta from Monday to Friday from 16:00-20:00. Residents can also seek booster vaccinations at weekends in many locations, including health centers, hospitals, and other vaccination centers.

Amy Heppy | Translator: Intern / Imaji Lasahido

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News