Covid-19 Vaccine for Children Under 6 Years Wait for Expert Recommendations, This is what the Ministry of Health says

KOMPAS.com – Covid-19 Vaccine in Indonesia, it has been given to every age group, ranging from children 6 years and over, adults, to the elderly. However, Covid-19 vaccine cannot be given to children under the age of 6 years.

Explained Acting Director of Management Immunization Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health), dr Prima Yosephine, MKM, giving child vaccine under the age of 6 years must pass a number of requirements.

One of them is getting an emergency use permit or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM).

In addition, giving Covid-19 vaccine for children also requires a recommendation from a panel of experts, namely ITAGI (Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization).

“Patience to wait, because indeed we only provide vaccines (for children under 6 years) in the context of Covid, which are vaccines that have been recommended by ITAGI,” said Prima in webinar which aired on the Ministry of Health’s YouTube channel, Monday (11/4/2022).

Also read: Covid-19 Vaccine for Toddlers, Moderna Apply for Emergency Use Permit

This step, he said, was done to find out whether the Covid-19 vaccine is safe to use for children under the age of 6 years.

“For the vaccine for children under 6 years old, we will also go through the same route to be able to ask for recommendations from experts, namely ITAGI,” he added.

On the same occasion, Pediatrician, dr Arifianto, Sp.A, said the same thing about vaccines for children under 6 years old.

According to him, giving vaccines to children under the age of 6 years is not allowed in Indonesia because they are still waiting for recommendations from a panel of experts.

“There will be a discussion from a panel of experts who are asked for recommendations. That means, until there is a recommendation from the expert panel, we can get vaccinated,” said Arifianto.

“So just be patient, just wait until the vaccine is available, then the expert panel approves and releases (recommendations for its use) our children will get vaccines under 6 years old for Covid-19,” he continued.

On the other hand, Arifianto asked parents not to worry and help complete immunization basic for children, as long as Covid-19 vaccine for children under 6 years not yet available.

Also read: Covid-19 Vaccine Requirements for Children 6 Years and Older

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