Jokowi Lauds West Papuans' Enthusiasm toward COVID-19 Vaccination

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo lauded the people of West Papua for their enthusiasm in partaking in the government’s COVID-19 vaccination drive while inspecting a vaccination event at the multipurpose building of the Special Raider Battalion 762/VYS, West Sorong, Sorong city, on Monday, October 4, 2021.

“I really appreciate this, I am really thankful for the high enthusiasm of people to take part in the public vaccination event, which aims at preventing the further spread of COVID-19, particularly the Delta variant, in West Papua province and Indonesia in general,” the President said.

Besides in Sorong city, vaccination events also take place in nine regencies in West Papua, viz. Teluk Bintuni, Sorong, Fakfak, Manokwari, Raja Ampat, South Manokwari, South Sorong, Wondama and Kaimana.

“For Manokwari, we target to inoculate 600 people in three sites, the first at Ebenhaezer Fanindi Manokwari Indonesian Christian Church, the second at Bhayangkara Hospital of the West Papua Police, and the third at the Prafi Manokwari area,” said a representative of Manokwari regency.

On the occasion, President Jokowi also held a video conference with a number of regency governments to ensure the availability of vaccine supplies in the regions.

“We have ample vaccine stock at the moment, Sir. We have 5,440 doses of Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines,” a representative of Fakfak regency reported to the President.

“OK, good. Use them up immediately, do not let the stock get idle. The sooner the we inject them into the people, the better,” the President replied.

In the event, President Jokowi was accompanied by House Speaker Puan Maharani, Investment Minister/Investment Coordinating Board Head Bahlil Lahadalia, West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan, and Sorong Deputy Mayor Pahimah Iskandar. 

Read: 70% Indonesians Reject Self-Paid COVID-19 Vaccination: Survey

EGI ADYATAMA