Batam, Batamnews - Moderna's third dose of Covid-19 vaccination for health workers (Nakes) in the Riau Islands Province (Kepri), has begun, Monday (9/8/2021). In Riau Islands, the health workers who had the opportunity to be injected with this vaccine for the first time were from Batam.

This program began with the Declaration of the Third Dose of Vaccination for Health Workers in Riau Islands by the Governor of Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad which was held at Hj. Mother Halimah Batam.

On this occasion, the first injection was given to the Director of Hj. Mother Halimah, dr. Abraham. Furthermore, the third dose of vaccine was distributed to 76 health workers at the hospital on the same day.

In his remarks, Ansar Ahmad explained that the provision of the third dose of vaccine for health workers has been regulated in the Circular Letter (SE) of the Ministry of Health Number HK 02.01/11919/2021 regarding the third dose of vaccination for all health workers, assistant health workers and supporting staff working in service facilities. health.

"All health workers, both those working in government hospitals and private hospitals, are entitled to this booster vaccine," said Ansar.

Ansar said that the third dose of vaccine was given specifically to health workers because there were still many health workers who were exposed to Covid-19 even though they had received the second dose of vaccination.

"In addition, the spread of Covid-19 is still widespread in all provinces, therefore the third dose of vaccination intervention is needed for health workers who are dealing with a high risk of being exposed to Covid-19," said Ansar.

The third dose of Moderna vaccine for health workers has been distributed to several hospitals in regencies/cities throughout the Riau Islands, with the details of the allocation as follows:

On August 6, 2021, Tanjungpinang received 80 vials with a target of 1,120 health workers. Bintan Regency received 46 vials targeting 644 health workers. Lingga Regency received 61 vials targeting 854 health workers. Natuna Regency received 70 vials with a target of 980 health workers, and Anambas Regency received 47 vials with a target of 658 health workers.

Then on August 7, 2021, Batam received 410 vials with a target of 5,740 health workers; and Karimun Regency received 109 vials with a target of 1,560 health workers.

"So the total health workers who will be vaccinated for the third dose this time are 11,556 health workers," said Ansar.