Jakarta Governor Encourages Senior Citizens to Get Booster Dose

TheIndonesia.id - Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan is encouraging senior citizens to get COVID-19 booster dose as the number of elderlies in Jakarta who have received their booster shots is still relatively low.

Baswedan is asking the public to help the government in making sure that their senior family members are taking their booster, especially since Jakarta is currently on Level 2 of community activity restrictions, or PPKM, where a number of restrictions are lifted.

“We urge the public to be more responsive [in getting their booster shots], especially the elderlies,” Baswedan said on Tuesday, March 8, as reported by Antara.

He also reported that the majority of senior citizens in Jakarta have been fully-vaccinated, but their participation in booster rollout is still currently low and needs to be improved.

In addition, the governor is also asking families to take their senior family members who contract COVID-19 to the hospital or other health facilities because elderlies are among the most vulnerable group and may need further treatment.

Baswedan also called for the public to remain calm as Omicron appears to be more containable compared to the previous variants. However, he reminded the public that senior citizens are at a higher risk of serious conditions and medical emergencies, and it makes booster a necessity.

“We’ve seen within the last two months that Omicron spreads rapidly, but the symptoms are relatively containable. However, once the elderlies contract it, there’s a higher risk. Therefore, we’re asking everyone to be more responsive.”