The rollout comes amid concerns that providing an additional vaccine dose to fully vaccinated people could exacerbate vaccine inequity across the country, as a large portion of the targeted population has yet to receive their second shot or even first shot.

Jokowi said on Tuesday that the booster was needed to protect the population against COVID-19 as SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – continues to mutate.

“[Booster shots] are crucial to increase the public’s immunity [against the coronavirus], especially considering that the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate,” Jokowi said, adding that “the public’s safety is of the highest priority” for the government.

He said people aged 18 and older and who have had their second vaccine dose at least six months ago were eligible to receive a booster shot. However, he went on to add, the government would first prioritize booster shots for the elderly and immunocompromised people.

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The President’s statement marked a shift in the government’s initial scheme for booster shots, which previously consisted of free shots, particularly for the elderly and fully subsidized holders of the national health insurance (JKN) program, and paid doses for the rest of the public.