Bandung, W Java (ANTARA) – Bandung has commenced offering COVID-19 vaccination to children aged six to 11 years, with the target of covering as many as 438 elementary schools and 31 Madrasa Ibtidaiyah (MI).
Acting Mayor of Bandung Yana Mulyana remarked that vaccination for children in the age bracket of six to 11 years is an effort to create herd immunity, which doubles as an effort to facilitate smoother implementation of face-to-face learning.
“The target is met if the distribution is even in two to three months,” Mulyana stated at the Dewi Sartika Park, Bandung City Hall, West Java, on Thursday.
Mulyana noted that as many as 233,175 children in the age group of six to 11 years were targeted under the vaccination program. He believed that vaccination in Bandung would run well, seeing that loci are easier and well-recorded in every school.
“We are sure because of its location in the school. It is easier for us to conduct the vaccination. Although there are rules, (such as those), they still have to get mandatory vaccines, such as for measles, and it has to be taken four weeks apart,” he stated.
Head of the Bandung Health Office Ahyani Raksanagara remarked that the vaccination target for those in the age group of six to 11 years would be achieved within about three months, as children of that age had to be integrated into the national vaccination program, as it was the month of students’ immunization.
“It must be integrated with the national program of vaccination, the month of immunization for school children. Students of grade 1 and grade 2 are currently undergoing school child immunization for Measles, Diphtheria, and Tetanus. Hence, it is part of providing protection to everyone,” she remarked.
Raksanagara noted that should there be a problem with the single identity number, a mobile service from the Bandung City Population and Civil Registration Office would be available at the vaccination sites.
“Hence, it is in the Family Card, which is why we offer it from the Bandung City Population and Civil Registration Office for children, with problems regarding their single identity number,” he stated.
Raksanagara explained that the location of the vaccination was based on the school’s request. Thus, she noted that the respective schools can conduct the vaccination program at their own venue if they intended it.
“It depends on the school’s request. If we can implement it at the school, we will do it. However, if they want to use the vaccine sites, we will facilitate it,” she remarked.
Source: Antara News