Ombudsman Asks Govt Not to Sell Covid-19 Vaccine before Herd Immunity Achieved

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ombudsman asked the government not to trade the Covid-19 vaccine before herd immunity is formed in the community. Buying and selling vaccines before the formation of mass immunity was considered unethical.

“We have communicated with the Health Ministry. So long there is no communal immunity, it is unethical and unfair for people to buy the Covid-19 vaccine,” said a member of the health unit in the Indonesian Ombudsman, Indraza Marzuki Rais, in an online discussion in Jakarta, Wednesday, September 8.

Besides, he added, people in a number of regions still faced difficulties accessing the vaccination so that it would be unfair if they have to purchase one.

Indra also asked the government to monitor a number of clinics or vaccination centers that sell vaccines, especially the third dose or vaccine booster in the community.

“The vaccination rate in certain regions is still 10-15 percent. They also need vaccines,” said Indra, underlining that the government still has homework of educating the public about the benefits of vaccination.

Based on data from the Health Ministry, a total of 39,721,571 Indonesian people have been completely vaccinated or received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 69,194,539 people have obtained the first dose.

The government targeted administering Covid-19 vaccines to 208,265,720 Indonesians in order to achieve herd immunity in an effort to contain the disease.

Read: Pursuing Herd Immunity; IDI Reminds Govt to Prepare Backup Plan

ANTARA