Indonesian Minister says one data system for COVID-19 vaccination to include UNDP’s digital application

January 12, 2021

South Tangerang, 12 January 2021 — Ahead of the COVID-19 immunization drive in Indonesia, the Communication and Information Technology Minister said that a single data system which includes a digital application by the United Nations Development Porgramme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Health, will be rolled out to support the vaccination drive. 

Mr. Johnny G. Plate made the statement during a visit to a community health center (puskesmas) supported by SMILE, a joint initiative on digitizing vaccine cold chain, run by the Ministry of Health and UNDP since 2018. 

SMILE (Sistem Monitoring Imunisasi Logistik secara Elektronik) is an innovative platform that allows vaccinators to instantly monitor vaccine cold chain logistics and storage temperature, using digital technology and mobile phone application.

"The SMILE application of the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Development Program or UNDP is being used to monitor vaccine distribution from the provincial level to every health service facility throughout Indonesia," said Mr. Plate during a news conference outside Jurang Mangu puskesmas. 

“The one data system for COVID-19 integrates data from across Ministries and Agencies to produce a comprehensive system from the registration stage, distribution, to implementation and the monitoring of the first and second batch of vaccinations,” he added. 

Vaccine logistics is a key challenge in Indonesia, a vast archipelagic nation spanning more than 13, 000 islands with three time zones. COVID-19 vaccines will require two separate shots on the same recipient, which will magnify the logistical challenges even more.

Jurang Mangu Puskesmas is one of the Indonesian community health centers supported by SMILE, a joint initiative on digitizing vaccine cold chain, run by the Ministry of Health and UNDP since 2018.

The SMILE initiative was also developed with financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. SMILE’s objective is in with GAVI’s global mission to sustain high immunisation coverage and ensure equal access to life-saving vaccines 

SMILE involves a mobile app for cold chain handlers, a web interface for data storage, and a temperature log that monitors the storage temperature of vaccines to ensure that quality vaccines are delivered as required in a timely manner. 

The management of vaccine distribution has come under scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new restrictions on movement have made it more difficult for vaccinators to deliver vaccines on time, to conduct timely checks and to monitor the efficacy of the vaccine vials.

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Media Contact 

UNDP Indonesia, Tomi Soetjipto, Communication Specialist, suryo.tomi@undp.org 

UNDP Indonesia, HEART Project, Nadine Kamila Hassan, Knowledge Management and Learning Officer, Nadine.hassan @undp.org