Name: Indonesia vaccinates workers first hoping for economic recovery
Uploaded: 2021-01-04T18:40:12.000Z
Duration: 1 min 36 s
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the world's eyes are on Indonesia as it tries a different tack with its vaccination program.

Countries like the United States and Britain have given priority to the elderly, but Indonesia is putting working age adults.

That's people aged 18 to 59 to the front of the queue.

Some health officials hope it's a quicker path to herd immunity.

Younger working adults are generally more active, social and travel more widely, so this method aims to decrease community transmission quicker.

But some experts remain skeptical about reaching herd immunity.

They say more research needs to be done to determine whether or not vaccinated people can transmit the virus.

Some economists say the 18 to 59 age group also has higher consumption needs, so could help jump start the economy quicker, too.

The official line is that it's down to the available data.

While Britain and the US have access to the Pfizer and by on tech jab, the Southeast Asian nation has initial access to China's Sino Vac vaccine.

Officials say there isn't enough data yet of the efficacy on elderly people as clinical trials involved those in the under 59 age bracket.

Therefore, they say they're waiting recommendations from regulators before developing a strategy for older citizens.

 No matter the reason or whether it's regarded as the right or wrong approach, experts agree that it would be useful to track Indonesia's progress against other nations to assess the merits of each strategy. 