Supply and Communication Problems Overshadow Vaccination Programs

The government has started to prepare massive COVID-19 vaccinations, although there is still confusion about the procurement of supplies and the timeline of the program. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered ministers to improve their public communication strategy regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines to avoid disinformation. "I ask the communication strategy to be better prepared," he said in a closed meeting, Monday (10/26).

Jokowi also asked his subordinates to calculate the supply and price of the COVID-19 vaccine, both for the free vaccination program and for independent or paid vaccinations. According to Jokowi, the vaccine must be sold at affordable prices. "It has been calculated carefully, the regulations have been prepared from now on. From the beginning I asked for an affordable price," he said. However, Jokowi did not mention the timing of the vaccinations. He only said vaccinations would run gradually.