To Ensure Recovery is not in Vain

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Residents receive the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine or booster at RPTRA Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, Monday (28/3/2022). People's interest increased to get booster vaccines after the government announced complete vaccinations as a condition for going home for Eid.

With the fasting month of Ramadan only four days away, many are taking advantage of the relaxed public activity restrictions (PPKM) to visit cemeteries, shop for basic necessities and get vaccinated.

Since the government lowered the PPKM levels in its transition to Covid-19 as endemic, the community has been enthusiastic. There is a lot of traffic congestion, markets and malls are packed with shoppers and queues form outside of restaurants.

On one hand, this enthusiasm provides a sense of relief because it means that the economy can recover quickly. According to Statistics Indonesia, economic growth in 2021 reached 3.69 percent, whereas economic growth in 2020 contracted by 2.07 percent due to the pandemic. It is unsurprising that the government is optimistic about setting a 5.2 percent economic growth target in 2022.

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> People Need Easier Access to Booster Jabs

It was also unexpected that single, double-dose vaccinations and booster injections would run so smoothly. Data from the Health Ministry show that vaccination coverage for the first dose reached 94.09 percent (196 million doses), while coverage for the second dose and the booster injection reached 75.85 percent (158 million doses) and 9.67 percent (20.13 million doses), respectively.

Jakarta achieved the highest vaccination coverage, followed by Bali and Yogyakarta. All three regions have exceeded 100 percent coverage. It has been proven that vaccination triggers immunity as cases of Covid-19 transmission are low. Even if infected, the disease is not severe, which also greatly reduces the death rate.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

A resident receives the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine or booster at RPTRA Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, Monday (28/3/2022).

However, people actively going out must also remember that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still circulating, so prevention efforts must continue. This includes wearing masks, washing hands, keeping distance and staying away from crowds.

Vaccinations must continue by all means. Incentivizing the booster like the offer of cooking oil can be a clever way of encouraging participation.

Of course, this needs to be accompanied by easy access to vaccinations where the requirements are not complicated and it is affordable. With loosened restrictions, there will be many situations with the potential to increase transmission in the next month. From the tarawih (evening prayers) during Ramadan to the Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus) and family gatherings. All these activities that have been deeply missed in the last two years should still be guarded this year to prevent a sudden explosion later on.

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By learning from the cooking oil incentives, the government can accelerate vaccinations, whether the first, second or third dose, to make mudik easier. Those who are fully vaccinated, for one, do not need an antigen or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to travel. Of course, it is necessary to think about how this can be implemented in the field so that the checking procedure does not cause congestion and crowding. It is also important to prepare first aid to prevent victims.

Once again, the government needs to invite local and traditional leaders to remind the people the importance of vaccinations and discipline with health protocols. All parties must do their part so that recovery is not in vain.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.