JawaPos.com Symptoms of flu and Covid-19 at first glance are indeed similar. Starting from colds, fever, cough, to headaches. Therefore, when someone has the flu during the pandemic era, they often panic because they are worried about being exposed to Covid-19. That is why not only the Covid-19 vaccine, doctors also suggest the importance of the flu vaccine.
On World Flu Day, the Ministry of Health, the Indonesia Influenza Foundation (IIF), and the Indonesian Allergy Immunology Association (PERALMUNI) together with Sanofi Pasteur Indonesia educate the public about flu and the importance of flu vaccination during the Covid-19 pandemic. This initiative is important, considering that not many people understand that common colds in the community can lead to serious complications, especially in vulnerable groups.
Multiple diseases caused by two viruses are known as coinfections. The flu vaccine is believed to prevent coinfection between the flu and Covid-19. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there is the possibility of coinfection with the flu at the same time as infection with the Covid-19 virus.
Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said that currently, Covid-19 cases had decreased along with the increase in the coverage of Covid-19 vaccinations. However, he reminded us that we still have to be disciplined in carrying out health protocols and vaccinating according to the doctor’s schedule and recommendations to protect ourselves from dangerous infectious diseases such as influenza.
“Moreover, flu vaccination is considered important to prevent coinfection with Covid-19 virus infection which can lead to serious complications. In addition, the flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine can be tolerated well according to the vaccination procedure,” Nadia explained online recently.
The chairman of the Indonesia Influenza Foundation (IIF), Prof. DR. dr. Cissy B Kartasasmita, SpA(K). “It is very important to take preventive steps so that children do not catch the flu, especially during this pandemic, which allows coinfection between flu and Covid-19 to occur. One of the preventive measures can be done through vaccination if the child is over six months old.
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Editor : Estu Suryowati
Reporter: Marieska Harya Virdhani
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