In Indonesia, Adventist Church Facilitates COVID-19 Vaccination for the Public

By: West Indonesia Union Mission, Southern Asia-Pacific Division, and Adventist Review

In support of the Indonesian government’s call for COVID-19 public vaccination, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM) collaborated with the Jakarta Local Conference (JLC) and the Jakarta Adventist Doctors Association to establish a vaccination center. The center is located at the WIUM head office in the country’s capital city of Jakarta.

Leaders behind the initiative said Adventist church members and the public are the primary beneficiaries of the vaccination program, which started in July 2021 and will finish in August. The program is part of broader efforts to provide immunity for Jakarta residents during the ongoing pandemic.

On July 11, the first day of the vaccinations, WIUM’s secretary, Binsar Sagala, opened the program through a short devotional message for the attending WIUM staff, JLC staff, and health workers. The coordinating team and the health workers then set up the vaccination area and stationed health workers and volunteers in their respective locations. 

“We hope all church members in Jakarta and surroundings can make the most out of this vaccination program by coming to the vaccination center here on MT Haryono Street. I will be actively involved in this program until August,” Jimmy Havelaar, WIUM health ministries director, said.

Organizers noted that vaccine recipients were required to bring identification proof (ID card, Temporary Stay Permit Card for foreigners, or Proof of Residence) and must be at least 18 years old. They said recipients are also required to register online before their day of vaccination to identify which health pre-screening steps will be conducted. Online registration is available on the Grab or Good Doctor smartphone applications. 

Participants were also told to ensure they are not being registered elsewhere for COVID-19 vaccination, as the government is also conducting vaccination drives. Organizers added that on-site registration is also available but is discouraged, as it consumes more time and lengthens the lines, especially for the pre-screening checks.

At the end of the first day, more than 1,000 individuals had been successfully vaccinated with the first dose of Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine. In the following weeks, it was reported that vaccination will be available for fit individuals aged 12 to 16 years old, as per the government’s current policy.

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.