Indonesia Considers 4th COVID Vaccine Dose as Pandemic Fight Continues

TheIndonesia.id - Indonesia is considering rolling out the fourth dose of COVID vaccines as the pandemic is predicted to last longer than anticipated, the Ministry of Health confirmed.

Spokesperson for the Ministry Mohammad Syahril said the planning process to roll out the fourth vaccine dose has started amid increasing infection in Indonesia in the last few weeks.

“Some countries have started administering the fourth dose, and in Indonesia, there is a plan for it as pandemic lasts,” Syahril said on Friday, July 22, as reported by Antara.

According to him, the prediction about prolonged pandemic is based on analysis made by many epidemiologists. Meanwhile, many medical experts have also concluded that the effectiveness of booster shot decreases in six months.

And if the pandemic continues to last, recommendation to roll out fourth vaccine dose will likely be issued.

According to Syahril, the Ministry of Health is currently in talks with the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) on the matter.

“[Including] prioritizing high-risk groups, health workers, senior citizens, and public service officers,” he said.

The discussion also revolves around the availability of vaccine if the program is to be rolled out, especially since only about 53.89 million Indonesians (25 percent) have got their first booster dose.

“At the moment, we’re focusing on administering full vaccine doses and the third shot,” the Ministry’s official concluded.