Indonesia warns of big fines for refusing COVID-19 vaccine, in a world first
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Indonesia's capital Jakarta is threatening residents with fines of up to 5 million rupiah ($450) for refusing COVID-19 vaccines, an unusually stiff penalty aimed at ensuring compliance with a new regulation making jabs mandatory.
Key points:
"If you reject it, there are two things, social aid will not be given, [and a] fine," Mr Riza told reporters, in what appears to be a world first in making the jabs compulsory.
Indonesia is fighting one of Asia's biggest and most stubborn coronavirus epidemics and aims to inoculate 181.5 million of its 270 million population within 15 months under a vaccination program that started last month.
Nearly 34,000 Indonesians are known to have died from the virus.
Indonesia announced a presidential order earlier this month stipulating anyone who refused vaccines could be denied social assistance or government services or made to pay a fine.
The penalty would be determined by regional health agencies or by local governments.
Indonesia aims to vaccinate 181.5 million of its 270 million population within 15 months.(Reuters: Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana)
"Sanctions are our last effort to encourage people's participation," Health Ministry official Siti Nadia Tarmizi said.
Public health experts said public jitters about the vaccine could be a stumbling bloc, while health agencies in West Java, Indonesia's most populous province, and West Nusa Tenggara said they had no plans to enforce sanctions.
Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak
A December survey by pollster Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting showed only 37 per cent of 1,202 respondents were willing to be vaccinated, 40 per cent were undecided and 17 per cent would refuse.
Usman Hamid, a director at Amnesty International Indonesia, said enforcing vaccinations was not the answer.
"A blanket mandate on vaccination, especially one that includes criminal penalties, is a clear violation of human rights," Mr Hamid said.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
Reuters
www.abc.net.au
Indonesia's capital Jakarta is threatening residents with fines of up to 5 million rupiah ($450) for refusing COVID-19 vaccines, an unusually stiff penalty aimed at ensuring compliance with a new regulation making jabs mandatory.
Key points:
- Indonesia is fighting one of Asia's biggest and most stubborn coronavirus epidemics
- Nearly 34,000 Indonesians are known to have died from the virus
- The new regulation follows months of public scepticism about whether the vaccines are safe
"If you reject it, there are two things, social aid will not be given, [and a] fine," Mr Riza told reporters, in what appears to be a world first in making the jabs compulsory.
Indonesia is fighting one of Asia's biggest and most stubborn coronavirus epidemics and aims to inoculate 181.5 million of its 270 million population within 15 months under a vaccination program that started last month.
Nearly 34,000 Indonesians are known to have died from the virus.
Indonesia announced a presidential order earlier this month stipulating anyone who refused vaccines could be denied social assistance or government services or made to pay a fine.
The penalty would be determined by regional health agencies or by local governments.
Indonesia aims to vaccinate 181.5 million of its 270 million population within 15 months.(Reuters: Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana)
"Sanctions are our last effort to encourage people's participation," Health Ministry official Siti Nadia Tarmizi said.
The new regulation follows months of public scepticism and lingering doubts about whether coronavirus vaccines are safe, effective and halal, or permissible by Islamic beliefs.
Public health experts said public jitters about the vaccine could be a stumbling bloc, while health agencies in West Java, Indonesia's most populous province, and West Nusa Tenggara said they had no plans to enforce sanctions.
Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak
A December survey by pollster Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting showed only 37 per cent of 1,202 respondents were willing to be vaccinated, 40 per cent were undecided and 17 per cent would refuse.
Usman Hamid, a director at Amnesty International Indonesia, said enforcing vaccinations was not the answer.
"A blanket mandate on vaccination, especially one that includes criminal penalties, is a clear violation of human rights," Mr Hamid said.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
Reuters
