Indonesia has decided to give COVID-19 vaccinations to working age adults before older citizens. The plans differ from vaccination programs in countries such as the United States and Britain, which give priority to older individuals who face a higher risk of death from the disease. Indonesia’s program aims to vaccinate adults 18-59 after health care workers and public servants. The government hopes the program will help the population reach “herd immunity” faster and improve the country’s economy. The Mayo Clinic notes that herd immunity happens when a large percentage of a community, the herd, becomes immune to a disease, making the spread from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected, not just those who are immune.
