Indonesia kicks off second wave of vaccinations

Market traders were among the first to benefit from Indonesia’s second phase of mass vaccinations against the coronavirus on Wednesday, as the government looks to right the country’s pandemic-battered economy.

Medical teams are now focusing on workers in close contact with the public and people over 60, authorities announced, after a first phase prioritizing health workers, 1.1 million of whom have been vaccinated according to the health ministry.

Indonesia’s economy – Southeast Asia’s largest – has lurched into recession during an outbreak that has infected almost 1.3 million people and killed more than 33,000, according to official data, though low testing rates mean the figures could be much higher.

The new phase was launched with a mass inoculation at Jakarta’s Tanah Abang textile market, home to about 55,000 sellers.

“I was worried about the vaccine but I feel privileged to be one of the first people to get a jab,” said garment seller Joscar Krisyadi. “Meanwhile, there are millions of people in Jakarta waiting for it.”