Government Announces 5,000 COVID Doses for Media Workers

A total of 5,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses are specially prepared for media workers or journalists in Indonesia, which is planned to start at the end of February.

I have discussed it with Mr. Prof Nuh (Press Council Chairman, Mohammad Nuh), to realize it by the end of February until early March

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said that it i s an effort to contain the spread of COVID in the country.

"I have discussed it with Mr. Prof Nuh (Press Council Chairman, Mohammad Nuh), to realize it by the end of February until early March," he expressed, Tuesday (2/9).

Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Given to Health Workers

He disclosed that the government was currently focusing on vaccinating health workers and public servants. "Including market traders who are at the forefront of public service," he explained.

Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI) Chairman, Atal Sembiring Depari explained journalists are one of the professions that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. However, they were sure to continue their job professionally to disseminate information to the public.

"Journalists and the media are required to do humanitarian duties to become a bridge of information," he explained.

He assessed they had an important contribution to make in educating the public to be disciplined in implementing health protocols. The mass media had played a major role in changing people's behavior amid the pandemic.

"We welcome the government's plan about COVID vaccination for press members. Hopefully it may run smoothly," he exclaimed.

On the other hand, vaccination plan also received a positive response from media workers. One of them, Yunita Amalia, a journalist in one of the online mass media in Jakarta.

"The work risk of journalists is quite high for COVID transmission. So this plan is a good step," she stated.