Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA) - The Central Java provincial government began offering booster vaccinations, or the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine injections, to health workers.

"The booster vaccination using the Moderna vaccine for health workers has commenced. Earlier, at the Dr. Kariadi Hospital, the vaccination has begun. Other areas are expected to follow soon," Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo stated here on Wednesday.

Pranowo noted that the Moderna vaccines for administration are ready to be sent to all districts and cities in Central Java and some regions have also received them.

According to the governor, the handling of Moderna vaccines differs from other existing vaccines, such as Sinovac or AstraZeneca. He noted that Moderna vaccines should be stored at temperatures of minus 15-20 degrees Celsius.

To this end, he urged the district and city governments, especially the respective Health Offices, to prepare a vaccine storage area or cold chain.

"Those (district and city governments) that are ready and have cold chain facilities can immediately get the vaccines and conduct vaccination," he remarked.

In addition to booster vaccinations, the governor pointed to large number of vaccine shipments for Central Java, and his side having received 600 thousand vaccine doses a few days ago.

Since the province has secured sufficient vaccine stocks, the government is currently expediting vaccinations and will continue to accord priority to older adults to receive the vaccine first, he stated.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had earlier ensured that a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or booster shot, would be administered to fully vaccinated health workers in the country to boost their immune response.

The Health Ministry has issued the Director-General of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control’s Circular Letter HK.02.01/1/1919/2021 on the third-dose vaccination for all health workers, assistant health workers, and support workers involved in offering health service facilities.