Indonesia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has had its fair share of unique stories, but the story of an elderly woman in West Java going on a piggyback ride to get her jab is a reminder that easy vaccine access is a huge privilege.
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Edy Suprayitno, who heads the Tarumajaya sub-precinct in Bekasi regency, reportedly carried 78-year-old Emah on his back to take her to a vaccination center. Emah was carried from her home to the police car that took them to the facility, and then again once they arrived there for her to get the jab.
Edy said Emah is unable to walk long distances due to her advanced age and that she only lives with her 13-year-old grandchild at home.
Emah told reporters that she wanted to get vaccinated so she can take care of her grandchild, though she initially worried about not being eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine due to suffering from gout.
“So I can be healthy, live a long life, [that way] I can take care of my grandchild, he’s an orphan. I have two grandchildren, but one of them lives with their mother in Kemayoran (in Jakarta),” Emah said.
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