Indonesian President Makes Covid-19 Vaccines Mandatory

JAKARTA – Indonesia has made coronavirus vaccination for citizens compulsory and is set to allow the private sector to help inoculate the population to reach herd immunity faster.

A regulation amended earlier this week now means people who are eligible for vaccination but refuse a jab can be penalised.

Sanctions could involve fines, delays or suspension of social aids, or delays or suspension of access to public services.

“(Relevant) ministries, government agencies, local (provincial, city) governments have the authority to enforce the administrative sanctions,” said the amended regulation signed by President Joko Widodo on Feb 9. The newly issued regulation allows local governments to draw up details of the penalties.

Indonesia has 34 provinces comprising 500 or so cities and regencies across the archipelago. The capital Jakarta is a special province.

The Jakarta Post reported on Tuesday (Feb 16) that the World Health Organisation believes that making vaccines compulsory is counter-productive, as it would increase what vaccine hesitancy is already present.

Health ministry spokesman Siti Nadia Tarmizi told The Straits Times on Tuesday: “Every nation has a right to make regulations on its respective jurisdiction.”

Dr Nadia could not confirm if Indonesia was the first country to adopt the compulsory stance.

Indonesia seeks to inoculate 181.5 million people, or two-thirds of its more than 270 million population, in 15 months to achieve herd immunity.

It started vaccinating citizens in mid-January, has finished the programme on medical workers and, this week, will start giving jabs to public officials and other risk groups, including market vendors and public-bus drivers.

President Joko will witness the start of the vaccination drive at South-east Asia’s biggest textile market of Tanah Abang on Wednesday, where 55,000 vendors will be inoculated within the next six days.

Meanwhile, the government will also allow a private sector role in the programme, opening up the pay-your-own vaccine, an about-turn from an earlier plan of guaranteeing free vaccines for all the citizens. Read Full Article >