Jakarta The policy of removing regimen provisions without referring to the brand of the COVID-19 vaccine product was the government’s effort to easy access for long-term protection from the virus, Health Ministry’s Spokesperson Mohammad Syahril stated.”According to reports on clinical trial results from various COVID-19 vaccine platforms, in general, individual antibody titers after six months of the second immunization will decrease, so boosters need to be given to increase antibody titers for long-term protection,” he noted in Jakarta on Friday.

Syahril remarked that currently, several people had not completed the primary and booster doses. The public is encouraged to immediately use any available vaccine product that has obtained emergency use permits from the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

Reporting from the COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard on May 25, the number of people receiving dose one of the COVID-19 vaccine totaled 203.84 million, or 86.87 percent; dose two, with 174.89 million people, or 74.53 percent; dose three, or booster, with as many as 68.84 million people, or 37.92 percent; and dose four, or second booster, with 3.18 million people, or 1.75 percent, of the total target of 234.66 million people receiving the vaccine.

ccording to Syahril, the policy update regarding the administration of COVID-19 vaccination is based on the consideration of data and the epidemiological situation of the COVID-19 cases and to ensure that Indonesia does not witness an increase in cases due to the threat of new variants and is ready to enter the endemic phase.

“This policy update also aims to respond to the community’s need for the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine that can be used to complete primary and booster doses, given the increased mobility of people,” he stated.

Until now, Syahril noted that distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination, both for primary and booster doses, is still free of charge.

“If there is a change in policy, it will be informed later,” he remarked.

The Ministry of Health stated that people, who had not completed the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster doses, can be vaccinated with any available vaccine brand.

This policy is in accordance with Circular Letter of the Ministry of Health Number IM.02.04/C/2413/2023 concerning the Renewal of COVID-19 Vaccinations that was signed by Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health Maxi Rein Rondonuwuand came into effect on May 22, 2023.

Source: Antara News Agency