Indonesia: Healthy Workforce - Think Beyond Vaccines

With Indonesia’s Covid-19 vaccination program in force, the majority of our clients are asking the same question: “Can Mercer Marsh Benefits help us acquire the vaccine?” Many businesses in Indonesia are also likely wondering how and when their employees can get vaccinated in the later phases of the national program.

It is my team’s responsibility as advisors to address this uncertainty and provide our clients the clarity and peace of mind they seek, but we do more than just this: we get them to consider risks beyond their current worries.

Vaccine Concerns

Vaccinating a population of 300 million will not be a straightforward feat. Our clients want to know:

• When the time comes for most of their employees to get vaccinated, what vaccines, and how much of them, will be available?
• Will the vaccines be available for their employees’ dependents as well?
• Which hospitals are government-appointed to administer the vaccination?

As the program is managed by the government, it will take time to get definite answers to many of such questions. However, it brings many clients some ease of mind to have an expert they can turn to for any doubts.

MMB Indonesia’s team includes nine doctors who keep up-to-date on the latest developments in medical news and explain terms like “vaccine efficacy” for our clients to better understand the various vaccine options provided by the government. Their medical advice, updates, and suggestions for the next strategic steps to take have been well received by clients in providing clarity for the situation around the vaccines.

Furthermore, we understand the value for businesses to provide their employees more direct access to vaccines, hence we are currently working to get hospitals to administer their vaccines at our clients’ workplaces.

Beyond Vaccines

What are the new dynamics that will arise once the majority of the population is vaccinated?

Cross-border travel will likely open up, necessitating the need for travel protection and swab testing may remain to monitor any potential outbreak. We might need multiple follow-up vaccinations and be prepared for the outbreak of any potential variants of the virus.

As advisors, we help our clients think longer-term to design and, more importantly, implement employee benefits to cater to the implications of the abovementioned considerations.

Get in touch to find out more.