Vaccine Booster Rollout Plan for Public to be Decided in December's End

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Ministry is still reviewing the plan to roll out the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine booster for the general public.

“The determination of the booster policy is still in the formulation stage, including waiting for the results of the serological survey,” said the COVID-19 Task Force spokesman Wiku Adisasmito on Tuesday, November 30.

The Health Ministry, he said, will soon publish the results of serological research related to the formation of antibodies due to vaccination or natural infection in the third or fourth week of December. “This result will also determine the urgency of expanding the target of vaccine booster,” he added.

On Monday, October 18, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the government had started discussing the booster shot scheme for the general public. Based on President Joko Widodo or Jokowi’s order, the third dose is expected to be administered in early 2022.

Airlangga explained that the scheme was discussed in order to anticipate the third wave of COVID-19. He also said the government will apply several schemes for the booster rollout, namely subsidized booster shot for people listed in the PBI category of BPJS Kesehatan and non-subsidized ones.

The subsidized vaccine boosters will be financed from the State Budget (APBN) and the Regional Budget (APBD). “Regarding the price of booster vaccines and others will be finalized,” said Airlangga.

Read: 34 Percent Healthcare Workers Receive Vaccine Booster

IMAM HAMDI