PRESS RELEASE

Covid-19 Vaccine Stocks Are Running Low, Vaccination Rate Slows

Jakarta, 24 October 2022 – The government requires booster vaccinations, but they are scarce. At the end of last September, the Ministry of Health stated that only five million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were available, most of which had been distributed to the regions. The government no longer brings in vaccines from direct purchases or grants but instead relies on old stocks and domestic production which are currently still in the development stage.

The acceleration of the vaccination program is increasingly slowing down. The rate of vaccination has continued to decline since at least last May. In August 2022, Indonesia was only able to administer 3.5 million injections or 50% less than in May 2022 which managed to administer 7 million injections. Apart from decreasing public interest, vaccine stocks in various regions are starting to run low and it is not uncommon for local governments to close vaccination services.

This condition is worrying considering that there are still many residents who have not received the booster vaccine. Previously, Indonesia targeted a booster vaccination target of 234,666,020 people - namely vaccine dose 1 and dose 2. However, by the end of September 2022, only around 27% of the target had succeeded in receiving booster vaccination. This achievement is still far from what WHO recommends, namely 50% of the target.

LaporCovid-19 received 60 citizen reports regarding the implementation of vaccinations throughout 2022. Of this number, 17% of the reports were related to difficulties in obtaining booster vaccines. Residents find it difficult to find vaccination locations because it is not uncommon for local governments to close vaccination services due to vaccine scarcity.

Vaccine scarcity and low booster vaccination coverage could endanger Indonesia amidst the government's efforts to end the pandemic. WHO data shows that Indonesia is one of the countries that consistently has the highest number of additional Covid-19 cases and deaths in Southeast Asia. In fact, the death rate in Indonesia is considered worrying, above the global death rate average. Indonesia has not been able to reduce the average death rate which is still at 2.7% to less than 1% or even zero deaths.

Responding to current developments in Covid-19 vaccination, LaporCovid-19 encourages the government to take several steps:

First, the government is accelerating the distribution of vaccine stocks that are still available at the center and relocating vaccines from areas where vaccine supplies are still high. The government also needs to ensure safe availability and distribution to avoid expired vaccines.

Second, booster vaccination must be prioritized for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and groups with comorbidities, not solely meeting the needs of travelers and shopping center visitors. Rather than opening booster vaccine service centers at stations, terminals or airports, it would be better for the government to tighten health protocols in public places and divert booster vaccines to Community Health Centers.

Third, the government needs to provide information on the availability of vaccine stock according to type by district/city so that residents can know the actual condition of vaccine stock in their respective areas and have no difficulty finding them.

With the entry of the new XBB variant to Indonesia. The government must immediately address vaccine shortages and increase the rate of booster vaccination to strengthen community immunity from the threat of new variants of Covid-19.

Contact Person:

Firdaus (0878-3882-2426)
LaporCovid-19 Advocacy Coordinator