Indonesia’s coronavirus vaccine roll-out complicated by mistrust, broken fridges and fears of a ‘global Antichrist conspiracy’
- Infections and deaths are rising faster than ever, and it is feared that it will be months before the general population starts to be inoculated
- Although President Joko Widodo said he hoped about 1 million people a day could be vaccinated, the number currently stands at 50,000
Meanwhile, infections and deaths are rising faster than ever. Even if the vaccination programme goes smoothly, it will be months before the general population starts to be inoculated, health experts say.
“Disaster,” said Pandu Riono, a University of Indonesia epidemiologist when asked what he expects of the coming months.
“Health care will have already collapsed. Already there are many stories about people dying on arrival, in emergency and on the way because they are searching for a hospital. Even the graveyards are running out of space.”
Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the new health minister, told health ministry officials of his concerns about the vaccination roll-out soon after his appointment in late December, a source familiar with the programme said.