JAKARTA – Among the first in the queue for coronavirus vaccines in Indonesia has been one conspicuous group – social media influencers.
Alongside President Joko Widodo as the world’s fourth most populous country kicked off its vaccination drive on Wednesday was Indonesian television personality, Raffi Ahmad, who boasts almost 50 million followers on Instagram.
“Alhamdulillah
Indonesians are among the top global users of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The health ministry did not say how many infuencers would be first in the vaccine line, but others due to receive a shot on Thursday included musicians Ariel, of the band Noah, and Risa Saraswati.
Ahyani Raksanagara, head of Bandung’s health agency, told Reuters the artists would “hopefully convey positive influence and messages” about the vaccines, and especially to young people.
A poll last month showed just 37 per cent of Indonesians were willing to be vaccinated while 40 per cent would consider it, and 17 per cent refused.
Some doctors have raised doubts over Indonesia’s initial use of Chinese company Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac vaccine – with studies from Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey showing efficacies ranging from 50 – 91 per cent.
But in another possible boost for chances of acceptance, the country’s top Islamic council has deemed the vaccine halal.
However the decision to include social media influencers on the priority list backfired somewhat when photos of Raffi showed him partying hours after he was given the injection – which does not confer immediate immunity.
The images of him unmasked and flouting social distancing protocols with a group of friends drew criticism on social media, with calls for him to set a better example.
“It also shows the government is inconsistent in prioritising who gets the vaccine first,” said Irma Hidayana, cofounder of pandemic data initiative LaporCovid-19, “They should’ve done it with another health worker, maybe, not an influencer.”
Health ministry official Nadia noted that “when you’re vaccinated, you still have to abide by health protocols and not be careless in enforcing them”.
Zubairi Djoerban of the Indonesian Medical Association said the strategy to hire influencers could only work if “influencers are briefed about vaccine and Covid-19 so they can be agents of change”.
Police said they are investigating whether Raffi broke the law, while he has offered a public apology.
This article was first published in Asia One . All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
