By: Dendy Rahmat )*
The government has decided to provide a Covid-19 booster vaccination for free from January 12, 2022. This effort is expected to provide maximum protection to the public amid the threat of the Omicron variant.
Over time, booster vaccination is considered necessary to be given to the community, especially the elderly. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the booster vaccination or the third vaccine for COVID-19 would be given to the public free of charge.
According to Jokowi, this policy was taken because the government prioritizes the safety of the people. This program will make the elderly and vulnerable groups a priority for giving booster vaccinations.
Then, Jokowi also explained the terms and conditions needed to receive this third dose of vaccination, namely that the prospective recipient had received the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine 6 months ago.
He also reminded the public to always be disciplined in carrying out health protocols, wearing masks, maintaining distance and washing hands. Because vaccination and health care discipline are key in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic.
President Jokowi also announced the government’s plan to hold a booster COVID-19 vaccination. The plan is that the booster vaccine will be given starting January 12, 2022. The former governor of DKI Jakarta said that booster vaccination is important because the corona virus continues to mutate. He also emphasized that free vaccines are aimed at the safety of the people.
Meanwhile, the POM Agency (BPOM) has issued an emergency use permit (EUA) for 5 types of vaccines. Head of the POM Agency, Penny Lukito explained that there are a number of vaccines that can be used as a third dose of vaccine. Like Sinovac or primary vaccine the first two doses of vaccine.
This third vaccine is given six months after the second dose is given. The Sinovac Booster is used for people aged 18 years and over in one dose. Side effects from giving Sinovac vaccine were also considered mild, such as local reactions of pain and redness at the injection site.
In addition, Sinovac primary vaccine recipients can also get a booster dose of Zifivax. In addition to Sinovac, Zifivax can also be used for the third dose of Sinohpharm recipients. The third dose with Zifivax can be given six months after the second dose of Sinovac is given. Giving a booster with Zifivax is believed to increase the neutralizing antibody titer more than 30 times.
The Zifivax vaccine was developed by Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical. The vaccine uses a subunit protein recombinant platform. Based on phase three clinical trials, the efficacy or efficacy based on tests in the laboratory for this vaccine reached 87.71% calculated from 7 days after receiving the complete vaccine or reached 81.4% when calculated after 14 days of receiving the complete vaccine.
The head of BPOM has conveyed that the provision of advanced doses of vaccination has been recommended by WHO (World Health Organization). Giving a booster is needed to increase the level of Covid-19 antibodies which have decreased significantly six months after receiving the full dose of the vaccine.
BPOM also announced five vaccines that have received EUA namely Sinovac, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Zifivax. BPOM has conducted a quality study of these vaccines to become the Covid-19 Booster vaccine since November 2021. An evaluation has also been carried out with a team of experts from the National Drug Assessment Commission.
Of these vaccines, Moderna’s side effects are the biggest. If Sinovac’s side effects are around local pain after injection, Moderna vaccine recipients can get side effects such as headache, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea/vomiting, swelling to fever for several months. o’clock.
In clinical trials, Moderna had other side effects, namely allergic reactions, pericarditis and fainting. However, we must understand that booster vaccination is needed to increase the effectiveness of the vaccine, prevent the Omicron variant of the corona virus and control the rate of Covid-19.
Chairman of the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro said antibodies would decrease 6 months after vaccination and along with the emergence of new Covid-19 variants.
In addition, it is not yet known when the Covid-19 pandemic will end, which makes people have to have high immunity to avoid the danger of transmitting the corona virus.
Even though the booster vaccine will be given free of charge, the public still has to comply with health protocols when doing their activities. Compliance with the vaccine must also be adhered to so that the spread of the corona virus, especially the Omicron variant, can be suppressed. Do not let activities such as schools and trade activities be disrupted due to an uncontrolled spike in confirmed cases of Covid-19.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students
