According to Our World in Data, Indonesia's booster vaccination rate was only 17.8 doses per 100 people as of July 11, 2022. This places Indonesia seventh in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Singapore leads with a booster vaccination rate of 77.5 doses per 100 people, followed by Brunei Darussalam with 68.3 doses per 100 people.
Next is Vietnam with a booster vaccination rate of 65.9 doses per 100 people. Then Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand with rates of 55.7 doses, 49.8 doses, and 42.7 doses per 100 people, respectively.
Below Indonesia are the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Myanmar with booster vaccination rates of 13.4 doses, 9.5 doses, and 4.1 doses per 100 people, respectively. Laos is not included in the report.
Starting in mid-July 2022, the government plans to make booster vaccinations mandatory to enter public facilities, ranging from offices and tourist attractions to malls and transportation modes such as trains and airplanes.
This policy is implemented to protect the public from exposure to the still-spreading coronavirus and its new variants.
"This is not a forced obligation, but we are providing protection. It's not just about protecting oneself, but also protecting the community in public areas. For example, in public transportation, protection is needed, and during large-scale events," said the Ministry of Health spokesperson, dr. Mohammad Syahril, as quoted by Detikcom on Tuesday (July 12, 2022).
The idea of this booster vaccination policy was first raised by the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin. However, the regulations are still under discussion by the government.