Jakarta (ANTARA) – Executive Director of the International Pediatric Association (IPA), Aman Bhakti Pulungan suggested that routine immunizations for children need to be prioritized before administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We want routine immunization to take precedence, only to be immunized with COVID-19,” said Aman Bhakti Pulungan when delivering a press statement at the seminar “Multisectoral Support to Pursue Immunization” organized by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) via the Zoom application which was attended from Jakarta, Monday. afternoon.
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Aman said the input would be conveyed by the IPA delegation at an international meeting involving child health experts from 150 member countries from Monday night to Wednesday (1/12).
According to Aman, the statement will be submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) as input that needs to be considered.
In the same agenda, General Chairperson of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Piprim Basarah Yanuarso said input related to routine immunization for children was a priority because the number of cases of diseases that could be prevented by immunization (PD3I) were more numerous than COVID-19.
“COVID-19 can be contagious, but the death rate is still low. Measles, polio and others are more dangerous, although not as bad as COVID-19,” he said.
Also read: Ministry of Health: Complete children’s basic immunizations while waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine
Also read: Immunization of children during the pandemic must still be carried out
Piprim said the focus of handling the COVID-19 pandemic should not ignore routine immunizations for children, because there is a risk that it can trigger extraordinary events (KLB) in the future.
“We should not forget about routine immunizations for children because we are hunting for a COVID-19 vaccine, so routine vaccines are neglected,” he said.
Reporter: Andi Firdaus
Editor: Endang Sukarelawati
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