Indonesia targets bustling markets in COVID-19 vaccine roll out

The new phase, which started at the sprawling, multi-level Tanah Abang market in Jakarta, saw hundreds of market vendors inoculated on Wednesday, some posing thumbs up next to an "I've been vaccinated" banner after receiving their shot. "At first I was scared because people said things that frightened me about getting vaccinated," said Rusyandi, a 34-year-old worker.

Targeting the high-density hustle and bustle of traditional markets, Indonesia on Wednesday launched the second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination programme, which also covers essential workers and public servants.

The roll out in the Southeast Asian nation worst hit by the pandemic began last month, with nearly 1.5 million medical workers set to receive their shots of CoronaVac, produced by China's Sinovac Biotech by the end of this month. The new phase, which started at the sprawling, multi-level Tanah Abang market in Jakarta, saw hundreds of market vendors inoculated on Wednesday, some posing thumbs up next to an "I've been vaccinated" banner after receiving their shot.

"At first I was scared because people said things that frightened me about getting vaccinated," said Rusyandi, a 34-year-old worker. "Nothing happened and I feel like I'm free." Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said nearly 10,000 workers at the market complex would be vaccinated on Wednesday.

Touring the market during the launch, President Joko Widodo said he hoped public workers such as security forces, as well as journalists, athletes and those in the retail sector could soon be inoculated. With more than 1.2 million confirmed cases and over 33,000 deaths across the country, in the past year traditional markets have emerged as COVID-19 cluster points in Indonesia.

Data from the Indonesian Traditional Market Traders Association shows 1,825 cases have been detected in markets as of Feb. 12. Indonesia aims to vaccinate nearly 181.5 million people, or roughly 67% of its 270 million population, within a year to help revive its ailing economy, which last year plunged into its first recession in over two decades.

"It's a good start," said Elina Yang, 45, a shop owner. "For the country to revive the economy and get back to normal." (Writing by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Kate Lamb and Janet Lawrence)