Indonesia is vaccinating its working population first, not elderly

[TaylorSwift 162,746]

As Indonesia prepares to begin mass inoculations against COVID-19, its plan to prioritise working age adults over the elderly, aiming to reach herd immunity fast and revive the economy, will be closely watched by other countries.

Several countries such as the US that have already begun vaccinations are giving priority to elderly people who are more vulnerable to the respiratory disease.

Why 18-59 first? 
Indonesia plans to begin mass inoculations with a vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech, says it does not have enough data yet of the vaccine’s efficacy on elderly people, as clinical trials underway in the country involves people aged 18-59.
 

Professor at the National University of Singapore said he understood the rationale of Indonesia’s approach and said :“Younger working adults are generally more active, more social and travel more so this strategy should decrease community transmission faster than vaccinating older individuals”.

reuters.com

[Gabe 2,619]

I get their logic, it's just another approach. I'm curious to see if this will be ore effective. 

[Morphine Prince 109,726]

It will be interesting to see how this approach works. 

We also have to remember of intergenerational households which is more common in some parts of the world.

[weed 79,059]

I think it’s a smart idea as long as people stay very safe and cautious around elderly/more at-risk people 

[CCSir 410]

This would be a good approach if we had evidence the vaccine blocks the chain of transmission. However, as of now, the data only shows the vaccine reduces the severity of the disease to asymptomatic levels, so this might be a bit of a gamble. The working population could still spread the virus to the elderly if the latter are not vaccinated, although it will seem as though they are not catching it themselves. 

Really hoping the vaccines we have so far do block the chain though. Let's see how it goes.

[GagaSine 7,464]

7 minutes ago, CCSir said:

This would be a good approach if we had evidence the vaccine blocks the chain of transmission. However, as of now, the data only shows the vaccine reduces the severity of the disease to asymptomatic levels, so this might be a bit of a gamble. The working population could still spread the virus to the elderly if the latter are not vaccinated, although it will seem as though they are not catching it themselves. 

Really hoping the vaccines we have so far do block the chain though. Let's see how it goes.

I thought it was a smart idea but based on your comment it seems like a risky decision 

[Kadikaado 4,302]

 It's an interesting strategy, it's just like when you vaccinate boys for HPV because each vaccinated by protects 5 girls from getting the HPV.

  The elderly can keep on quarantine since most of them are already retired, maked sense to vaccinate first the people who need to work anyway.