Ganjar observes COVID-19 child vaccinations in Semarang

Semarang, C Java (ANTARA) - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo observed COVID-19 vaccination for children in the age bracket of 6-11 years at two elementary schools in Semarang on Wednesday.

The schools were Bugangan 03 Elementary School in East Semarang Sub-district and Miroto 01 Elementary School in Central Semarang sub-district.

At Bugangan 03 Elementary School, the governor raised his thumb to laud the students being jabbed with the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, some students were fearful of the vaccination and even avoided it.

Pranowo then tried to distract these kids by engaging them in light-hearted conversations, revolving around their breakfast menu and the students' preferences.

"Well, it is done. It does not hurt, right? (You are) great, aren't you," Pranowo stated while praising the students as they overcame their fears.

The situation was different at the Miroto 01 Elementary school. The sixth-grade students were the ones given the vaccine, and the situation was less tense, though some students were jittery, as Pranowo was observing them.

Based on his observation, the COVID-19 vaccination for children conducted by the Health Office ran well.

"This is an opportunity for children to take report cards (as well as) an opportunity to expedite (vaccination). All the school needs to do is just call them," he stated.

At the two vaccination locations -- Pekalongan and Semarang -- for children that he monitored, Pranowo deemed the overall implementation as being commendable.

Regional governments remain committed to pushing the vaccination rate up, he remarked.

"The vaccine supply is okay, and it has been sent from the center. Semarang was given 150 thousand doses. (The vaccination rate) can be boosted if 13 thousand (vaccine doses) are administered a day. (The stock can be used up in) approximately one week," he remarked.