Outliving the virus: various reasons for COVID-19 vaccination

10 January 2023
Photo story
Indonesia
What motivates us to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Some want to build a wall of protection around the people they know and love. Others are driven by more pragmatic reasons: to be able to travel across islands, sell in the traditional markets, or receive government aid. For most of us, it is a mix of various reasons. 

Here are some candid answers from people who were interviewed during the COVID‐19 vaccine post‐introduction evaluation (cPIE). The Ministry of Health, supported by WHO and the Government of Japan, conducted the cPIE in six provinces during November-December 2022. The findings from this exercise will help Indonesia in identifying ways to improve its COVID-19 vaccine rollout and strengthen the national immunization programme to effectively prevent further mutations and future surges. 

This photo story is from Ambon City and West Seram District in Maluku province. 

“I have a lot of children and grandchildren in Seram and Ambon. I was afraid if I visit them while carrying COVID-19, they would get the virus from me,” said Pitony Tebiary (62, second from right). 


Pitony is a farmer in Inamosol, West Seram District, who has seven children and eight grandchildren. He lives together with his wife, five children, one daughter in law, and three grandchildren. When the COVID-19 vaccination campaign started in his village, Pitony actively convinced his family and neighbours to get vaccinated together. He is also an elder of Honitetu, one of Seram’s indigenous communities. In the photo, Pitony sat with his family (left to right): wife Au Latu Purissa (53), daughter in law Nonalfia S. Lessy (26), and daughter Ayu Sisilia Tebiary (20).  


“I get the vaccine so I can be safe when I meet my son who was returning from Japan,” said Zusana Luhukai, 45, at her home in Inamosol, West Seram. Johan, one of her three sons, has been working as a crew member on a Japanese ship.  
 
In the height of the pandemic, her son was thrice infected with COVID-19. When Zusana heard about the COVID-19 vaccination programme in her village, she was excited. She encouraged her whole family to get the shot. Johan arrived in Ambon in 2021 and had to endure 14 days of quarantine before finally meeting Zusana and the rest of the family in Seram Island. He is now back working on the ship. 

“I also need the vaccine as a requirement to sell my products in the traditional market,” continued Zusana. Zusana and her family grow fruits like bananas, rambutan, durian, and staple food like sago. Each morning, she sells them in the nearby market. To reduce COVID-19 transmission, the government requires all sellers to have COVID-19 vaccinations.  

 

“I have an allergy that made me afraid to get vaccinated. For two years I cannot meet my family in Jakarta because I was not vaccinated. A few weeks ago, I decided to consult with a doctor about the vaccination, and I received the green light. So I’m here now,” said Helmy Sukur, 61, after receiving his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Christina Marta Tiahahu primary healthcare center (PHC) in Ambon City. “I hope after my next doses, I can safely travel to meet my family.” 

 

“I’m getting vaccinated because the government advises us to do it, so I can avoid getting severe COVID-19 symptoms,” said Yuditya LE Leunufna (22) after getting her third dose at Christina Marta Tiahahu PHC in Ambon City. “I also do it because it is required to travel back to my hometown. My parents and my two younger siblings are also vaccinated.” 

 

“Now we need the vaccine certificate to do a lot of things. For me, I need the third dose so I can ride the ferry boat across the strait, from Ambon to Seram,” said Corneles Rumakus, 64, at Christina Marta Tiahahu PHC in Ambon City. “My neighbours have various reasons, but one of them told me he did it to get government’s social aid. A COVID-19 vaccine certificate is required for that, too.” 

 

Photo credits: WHO/Nyimas Laula