By: Dodik Prasetyo)*
Nataru holidays (Christmas and New Years) are in sight. During the holidays, what is worried about is the mass mobility of people, especially now that the Covid-19 virus has mutated into an Omicron variant. To overcome this, the government expands the vaccination coverage, so that more people are injected and have high immunity.
Vaccination is one way to prevent humans from being infected with the Covid-19 virus. The government is speeding up the national vaccination starting in March 2021, so that if possible, early next year, communal immunity will be formed. When many have been vaccinated and there is herd immunity, Corona will lose and people will be healthy.
Vaccination is very important because soon there will be a Nataru holiday (Christmas and New Years). Although it has been determined that by the end of the year until January 2, 2022, level 3 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) will apply throughout Indonesia, it still needs to be anticipated because there may be mass mobility even in cities. In addition, there is also a fear of crowds in shopping centers, playgrounds, or tourist attractions.
The government is expanding vaccination coverage for the Nataru holiday. It is hoped that if many people have been vaccinated, no new Corona clusters will be formed at the end of the year. Moreover, the Covid-19 virus has mutated into an Omicron variant which is much more dangerous, so we must protect it by vaccination and of course by obeying health protocols.
Corona variant Omicron is more virulent because it attacks the immune system faster. The characteristics are also somewhat different, including humans get tired faster, get dizzy, and have no anosmia (can’t smell), so it is feared that there are OTGs who are not aware because they can still smell perfume, when in fact they have Corona. Therefore, vaccination is very important to prevent the Omicron variant of Corona.
Vaccinations that need to be expanded in scope are for the elderly (elderly), because they are more prone to contracting Corona. Don’t let grandparents take a walk with their grandchildren to bring souvenirs in the form of the Covid-19 virus. We must reflect on the case in Singapore, where more elderly people are affected by Corona because they have not received the vaccine.
Apart from vaccinating the elderly, another government strategy in expanding vaccination coverage is a door-to-door system. Door to door vaccinations, initiated by BIN, will be held throughout Indonesia. The goal is that more and more Indonesians receive injections, even in remote places.
Door to door vaccination is considered more effective because cars and health workers (nakes) go directly to community settlements. They don’t have to come to the Puskesmas or the hospital to get an injection, they just have to register and wait their turn. Especially for residents who have financial difficulties, it will be more efficient because they don’t have to pay for transportation.
Meanwhile, door-to-door vaccination is also useful for people with disabilities because they have difficulty in mobility. If there are health workers who come then they do not need to charter a car and find a companion to push the wheelchair.
Vaccination is an obligation, in addition to preventing the new Corona cluster during the Nataru holiday, it can also be healthy for yourself. If he has been vaccinated, he will not be infected with the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus and will not transmit it to his family at home.
To deal with the Nataru holiday, the government has expanded the scope of vaccination, by giving vaccines to the elderly who are more prone to Corona. In addition, door-to-door vaccination is also carried out so that more people are vaccinated. All steps are taken so that Nataru’s holiday is safe and does not increase Corona cases in Indonesia.
)* The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Institute of Strategic Information Studies
