The Jakarta Health Office said it is awaiting the Health Ministry’s decision on vaccinating children aged 6-11 despite the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) approving COVID-19 vaccinations for the age group.

“We still have to wait for an official policy from the government through the Health Ministry,” head of disease prevention and control at the Jakarta Health Office, Dwi Oktavia, said on Thursday.

Since the BPOM has authorized the use of the COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 to 11 years, the Health Office has made preparations pending the Health Ministry’s regulation, she informed.

The preparations include coordination with the Education Office and the Demography and Vital Statistics Office in the capital for synchronizing data on children aged 6-11 years, she said.

In addition, the Health Office is also waiting for vaccines for children aged 6-11 years since the current vaccine stocks are meant for children aged 12 years and above, she added.

To vaccinate children aged 6-11 years, the three offices will synchronize the target data to determine the number of children who need to be vaccinated, she said.

Earlier this week, the BPOM authorized the use of the Sinovac vaccine for children aged 6 to 11 years, based on assessments of its safety and immunogenicity.

“The results of this pediatric clinical trial are more on aspects of safety and immunogenicity. The security aspect shows this (Sinovac) is safe for children aged 6 to 11 years,” BPOM Head Penny Lukito announced on Monday.

With the vaccination of children aged 6-11 years, the Health Ministry hopes the country will soon create herd immunity, an official said.

Source: Antara News