Indonesian Embassy in the United States Holds Covid-19 Vaccination for Indonesians

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to the United States in Washington DC, has held a Covid-19 vaccination drive for Indonesian nationals in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV).

Held in collaboration with Indonesian community organizations and local health agencies in the US last Saturday, the step is part of the embassy's protection diplomacy for Indonesian citizens abroad.

"Among the Indonesian organizations who participated in this vaccine drive are the Indonesian American Association (IAA), Tiyang Jawi Association Washington DC, and Rumpun Warga Pasundan USA," the Embassy said in a press release.

"We also engaged local institutions like the Fairfax County Health Department and Neighborhood Health."

Also read: Indonesia's President Jokowi Criticizes Uneven Global Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccines

The Embassy's Minister Counselor for Protocol Functions, Gustaav Ferdinandus pointed out that the mass vaccination "aims to maximize protection and expand access to the Covid-19 vaccine for Indonesian citizens and Indonesian Diaspora [overseas Indonesians] in the US."

"The [vaccination drive] is a good example of cooperation between the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC, local government institutions in the US, and Indonesian community organizations," he asserted of the initiative, which uses the Pfizer vaccine.

"We hope this and other initiatives will continue to the benefit of Indonesian nationals."

This participants welcomed the vaccination drive's easy, practical registration process. To get a vaccination, they only need to go to the venue and show their identity card or passport.

"I have been greatly helped by this program, because I have had difficulty in registering and trying to find a time to fit in between working hours," said Mrs. Janna, an Indonesian national who lives in Maryland.