Indonesia begins vaccinating pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children

JAKARTA - Indonesia launched the COVID-19 vaccination program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged 12 to 18, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said Tuesday.

Amin said he welcomes the vaccine rollout for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged 12 to 18, who are all categorized as vulnerable groups to COVID-19, adding that vaccination is a game changer in dealing with the pandemic.

Since the entry of the more contagious Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus into Indonesia, the number of children infected with COVID-19 in the Southeast Asian country has risen to 12.5 percent, according to data provided by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association.

Indonesia's national agency of drug and food control BPOM recently has allowed the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 at a medium dose. Meanwhile, the Indonesian association of obstetrics and gynecology POGI has recommended COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women, especially those with high risk of being exposed.