A clinical trial of COVID-19 booster vaccinations has recorded no indications of severe adverse events following immunization (AEFI) on research subjects, COVID-19 Handling Task Force has informed.

At an online press conference here on Tuesday, the task force’s national spokesperson, Wiku Adisasmito, said that the research has recommended a six-month gap between the second and third dose.

“The plan is to have the third dose booster vaccination program conducted from January 12, in accordance with WHO’s target in the first trimester of 2022,” he added.

Booster vaccinations have been prepared ever since the official recommendation was issued by the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) and the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), he said.

The recommendation also covers the types of vaccines that will be used, he informed.

The third dose will be given first to people aged 18 years and above who live in districts or cities that have reached 70-percent coverage for the first dose, he said.

In addition, the districts or cities should have also reached 60 percent coverage for the second dose, he informed.

Separately, Health Ministry spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi said that booster vaccinations will start from January 12, 2022, and will include both free and paid vaccinations.

Free booster vaccines, which will be provided under government subsidies, will be given to fund assistance recipients (PBI), especially the elderly, she informed.

“The government’s target is to vaccinate the elderly as a group that is vulnerable to being hospitalized and also experiencing severe symptoms, even death when exposed (to the virus)” she explained.

Those who are not eligible for free booster vaccines will be able to get booster doses at health facilities by paying around Rp300 thousand, she added.

Source: Antara News