By: Abdul Rozak)*
Corona vaccination coverage will be expanded because the government will also target foreigners (foreign citizens). Those who become expatriates and live in Indonesia, can get the vaccine and their immunity is higher, so it is hoped that they can reduce the risk of being exposed to the Corona virus.
The pandemic has been going on for 2.5 years and the government has launched a national vaccination program, in order to deal with the ferocity of Corona. Vaccination is given to every Indonesian citizen over the age of 6 years. Meanwhile, those over the age of 18 are required to take a booster or third injection, so that their body resistance is better and they are not easily exposed to Corona.
The government will increase the coverage of Corona vaccination by targeting foreign nationals. Doctor Muhammad Syahril, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, stated that the provision of vaccinations for foreign nationals is contained in the Decree of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number HK/0107/MENKES/1308/2022 concerning the Implementation of Covid-19 Vaccinations for Foreign Citizens.
Doctor M Syahril continued, as an effort to ensure that foreigners who live permanently or permanently, have easy access to vaccinations. At the same time prevent the possibility of transmission of Corona. The vaccination program for foreigners (representatives of foreign countries and international non-profit organizations) will be coordinated by the Ministry that carries out government affairs in the foreign sector.
While vaccinations for other foreigners are carried out by registering through the information system for the COVID-19 vaccination data, to get an e-ticket that can be obtained through the PeduliLindung website. The conditions are KITAS (limited stay permit card) or KITAP (permanent stay permit card), and a passport number in accordance with the laws and regulations.
The expansion of vaccination for foreigners is good news because some of them are staying in Indonesia due to work matters (at the embassy or other offices). To minimize the transmission of Corona, foreigners are also given the right to get vaccines from the Indonesian government. If you have to go to your own country, it will be too far, too long, and impractical.
Especially in areas that are inhabited by foreigners, such as Jakarta or Bali. Foreigners must be ensured to get the complete vaccine (up to the third dose) so that they are healthy and not infected with Corona. If Indonesian citizens and foreigners are healthy and have high immunity obtained from vaccination, it will reduce the transmission of the Covid-19 virus and accelerate the end of the pandemic status.
If foreigners in Indonesia are given the vaccine, it’s not only those who work at the Embassy who get it. But also those who teach in international schools and work elsewhere. It would be very fair because it is not only elite foreigners who get vaccines from the Indonesian government, with the condition that they must bring a KITAS or KITAP, and a passport.
Giving the Corona vaccine for foreigners is not a form of privilege, just because they are foreigners, they get a vaccine from the government. However, the government is trying hard so that everyone living in Indonesia does not get infected with Corona, by vaccination. This includes Indonesian citizens who live and settle in this country, either for a short period of time or for a long time.
Meanwhile, the government is also expanding the coverage of Corona vaccination for the public (WNI) by means of mobile vaccination, aka health workers who go around and provide vaccinations to the residents. For example in the village or housing. Mobile vaccination will expand vaccination coverage and make this program a success, so that by the end of 2022 it will reach 100% of the target, aka all have been injected.
Mobile vaccination targets the elderly (elderly alias above 60 years) and pre-elderly (aged 45-59 years). They will be injected with the vaccine and get priority because their mobility is somewhat limited, due to age and financial factors (aka they don’t have transportation money to come to the hospital when the vaccination takes place).
With mobile vaccination, the elderly will get vaccinated and checked first to be safe. So, they had their blood pressure measured and asked if they had any comorbidities (congenital diseases). Those who are declared healthy and whose blood pressure is stable will be injected with the COVID-19 vaccine. Mobile vaccinations will be held throughout Indonesia so that vaccination coverage is wider and pandemic-free soon.
The government is expanding vaccination coverage so that all levels of society get it and are free from Corona, including foreigners. Vaccination for foreign nationals should not be viewed negatively because they live in Indonesia so they must be given protection from Corona. If everyone, no matter where they came from, got the vaccine, it would reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
A pandemic is something terrible, therefore the government is working hard to make Indonesia free from Corona as soon as possible. Vaccinations continue to be encouraged so that everyone does not catch Corona (as long as he is disciplined in carrying out the 10M health protocol). Vaccination for foreigners is a new breakthrough so that everyone who lives in Indonesia (even if only temporarily) is not exposed to Corona.
)* The author is a contributor to the Nusa Bangsa Institute
