The Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 6-11 years began to be held on Wednesday (15/12/2021) yesterday. Joko Widodo, the President, has urged that child vaccinations be intensified in all provinces in Indonesia.
Doctor Sjamsul Arief Sp.A(K) Chairman of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) East Java asked parents not to worry when their children participated in the vaccination program.
He explained, as long as the child has passed screening and is considered healthy to participate in the vaccination, the vaccination is safe.
Also read: President Urges Vaccination for Children 6-11 Years Old to be Implemented in All Provinces
The vaccine used for children is the Sinovac vaccine, which according to dr. Sjamsul, Sinovac is one of the vaccines with very low AEFI symptoms.
“This is a good vaccine, the methodology is proven safe, there are no complications. For Sinovac, there is no prominent AEFI,” said dr. Sjamsul to Surabaya Voice Radio, Thursday (16/12/2021) morning.
He said the Sinovac vaccine consisted of an attenuated virus, which had been proven to be effective and safe in blocking the Covid-19 virus and its mutations.
“So parents don’t worry, if the child is healthy, there are no contraindications. You don’t have to worry if there is a local reaction at the injection site,” he said.
Also read: Surabaya Becomes the Locomotive for Accelerating Child Vaccination
Previously, Cissy Kartasasmita, a member of the Immunization Task Force of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association, said that vaccination was very important to protect children, friends, teachers, family and the surrounding environment from the threat of the fatality of Covid-19.
Prior to the issuance of the emergency use permit, Cissy said, the vaccine had gone through a review process regarding its immunogenicity and safety by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
“The effectiveness of the vaccine for children has also gone through clinical trials in each age group, both 18-60 years old, over 60 years old, as well as the 12-17 year old group. After that, it has also passed trials on children aged 3-17 years in China and other countries. The result is safe and effective,” he said.(tin/den)
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