Indonesia has received 819,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the Dutch government as of Saturday to support the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official has said.

“The Indonesian government expresses its highest appreciation and gratitude to allied countries that have helped in supporting vaccinations,” director general of information and public communication at the Communications and Information Technology Ministry, Usman Kansong, said in a press statement released on Saturday. The vaccines were the 108th batch to arrive in Indonesian and were received in the finished form, he informed.

Adding the Dutch consignment, the total number of vaccine doses received by Indonesia has reached 313,155,360, he said. The vaccines are from various brands and have been received in both finished and bulk forms, he added. The vaccines have been obtained through direct purchase and assistance from allied countries, he informed.

“The smooth arrival of vaccines has made efforts to accelerate and expedite the vaccination program more optimal,” Kansong remarked.

In addition to ensuring the availability of vaccine stocks, the government is trying to expedite vaccinations by educating the public, he said. In particular, it is making efforts to counter false news or hoaxes about the COVID-19 vaccine, he added.

He said that these hoaxes have stalled the vaccination process in some areas. This is because false news exaggerating the effects of the vaccines has fueled concerns among the people, he explained. He stressed that all COVID-19 vaccines administered in the country have been deemed safe, efficacious, and permissible by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control. He said he expected people who have not received vaccinations to immediately get inoculated.

Those who have been vaccinated must also encourage their families and people around them to get the shot, he added. This is in line with the government’s measures to raise the vaccination rate in the regions as well as to anticipate the third wave of COVID-19, he said.

The government has also urged people to continue to follow the health protocols and remain vigilant to avoid a new wave of COVID-19 cases, he added.

Source: Antara News