Indonesian authorities are looking into one man’s claim that he had been running a jab-for-hire service, for which he has received 14 shots of the COVID-19 vaccine on behalf of other people.
The man, who identified himself as Abdul Rahim from Pinrang, South Sulawesi, recorded a video containing his testimony. He said he was paid by those seeking privileges extended to the vaccinated but didn’t want to get vaccinated themselves.
“My name is Abdul Rahim. I have been [fully] vaccinated, and I have received vaccinations on behalf of 14 people. Therefore I have received 16 shots, for which I was paid IDR100K-800K (US$7-56) each time,” he said in the short clip, which has gone viral in the country.
Abdul said he had been a jab stand-in and received all those shots in the past three months. He claims that he received three shots in one particular day, and only experienced mild side effects like drowsiness.
It’s not clear what motivated Abdul to record and upload his confession. If he had received one shot for every person who had hired him, he may also have to receive their respective second doses to enjoy full privileges for the vaccinated.
Local police have located Abdul but have yet to verify his claims. The Health Ministry suspects that Abdul may be mentally challenged, but this aspect must be clinically verified in order to ensure that he hasn’t been cheating the system regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
