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People with mental illness in Greater Jakarta can now get COVID-19 shots
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Medical workers undergo mass vaccination at the Senayan sports complex in Central Jakarta, on Feb. 4, 2021. (JP/P.J.Leo)
T
he government has started COVID-19 vaccination for people with mental illness residing in Jakarta's satellite cities earlier than planned.
Recognizing mentally ill people as a vulnerable population together with disabled people, the government decided to include them in the second phase of the vaccination program, which is ongoing in most parts of Greater Jakarta targeting the elderly and essential workers.
People with mental disorders initially could only get the jab in the coming third phase of the vaccination program, along with other target groups -- people living in densely populated areas and members of marginalized groups. Jakarta, meanwhile, started its third phase in mid-May, while continuing to inoculate the remainder of the elderly and essential workers.
The inclusion of mentally ill and disabled people serves as a transition from the second phase to the third phase of the vaccination drive in Greater Jakarta.
“The government expanded the target population for the second phase because we realize people with mental health disorders and disabled people are vulnerable,” Health Ministry director for infectious diseases Siti Nadia Tarmizi told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Read also: Vaccination of ‘vulnerable groups’ begins amid expert skepticism
The government will focus on inpatients and outpatients at psychiatric hospitals in the vaccination extension, but people with mental health disorders, along with disabled people, will also be able to get the vaccine at any health facility and vaccination center, regardless of the address on their ID card.
