Epidemiologist Backs Govt's Rule on Vaccine Booster as Mudik Travel Requirement

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University, Dicky Budiman, supports the government's rule related to the vaccine booster as one of the requirements for this year’s Eid homecoming or mudik. He argues that the two-dose of primary vaccination is proven insufficient to contain the surge in COVID-19 cases.

“There’s no guarantee for cases spike even though two doses of vaccine have been administered. This is as we observed in the U.S., Europe, China, and Hong Kong where cases skyrocketed,” Dicky told Tempo, Thursday, March 24.

He emphasizes that the third dose of vaccine is one of the measures to prevent virus transmission from soaring again in Indonesia. In addition, he suggests strict monitoring of the health protocols during the homecoming season.

“[Health protocols of] 5M and 3T (COVID-19 testing, tracing, treatment) must be an inseparable part [of the requirements],” he added.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo earlier announced that people are allowed to return to their hometown to celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year on conditions, including the vaccine booster.

He also allows Muslims to perform mass tarawih prayers at mosques since the development of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia continues to improve. However, the state head bars state officials and employees from carrying out breaking-of-the-fast gatherings or locally known bukber and open house events.

Read: COVID-19 Death Rises; Health Ministry Says 70% Unvaccinated

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH