Bali will soon begin its second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, which targets about 663,000 people across the province, including the elderly, educators, and market sellers.
Bali Health Agency Chief Ketut Suarjaya said in a statement that the second phase will target members of the population who are more vulnerable to the coronavirus, and those who are more likely to interact with the general public.
“The consideration for the targeted groups is because they are part of the vulnerable group and are those who often interact with the general public so they deserve to be given priority for vaccination,” Suarjaya said.
“Vaccination will begin in early March.”
Suarjaya said over 340,000 people over 60, along with about 79,000 educators and nearly 76,000 market sellers are among those set to receive the vaccines for Bali’s second phase of the mass inoculation program. The list also includes members of the Bali’s Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), religious figures, and civil servants, among others. According to the 2020 census, the total population in the province is 4.32 million.
The province’s first phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, which started on Jan. 14, was prioritized for health workers, just like the rest of Indonesia. With nearly 37,000 people on the list in Bali, more than 92 percent have reportedly received their first dose as of yesterday afternoon, and over 18,000 have received their second dose.
Indonesia’s nationwide vaccination program against COVID-19 uses CoronaVac, which is produced by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac. Top officials, including President Joko Widodo and Bali Governor Wayan Koster, were among the first in the country to receive the vaccine.
Source: Coconut.co