Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –
Immunization with vaccine proven successful in eradicating various diseases in the world, including Indonesia. Programs like this can be seen as an investment in the future for Indonesian children.
Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) advisor, I Nyoman Kandun, revealed that the administration of the oral polio vaccine between 1995-1997 succeeded in eradicating polio. Vaccines were given at that time to the entire community through the National Immunization Week (PIN) program.
“This vaccine is given to anyone, regardless of whether someone has been given the polio vaccine regularly or not. For those who have received routine polio immunization, then giving back the polio vaccine will strengthen their immune system. Those who have not received the polio vaccine, it can be said. get basic immunization “, said Nyoman in the ‘Productive Dialogue with the theme of Learning from the Success of PIN Polio’ which was held by the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC PEN) on Tuesday (17/11).
Immunization is part of handling infectious diseases, namely controlling, eliminating and eradicating. Controlling is reducing the incidence of infectious diseases. Meanwhile, eliminating is pressing to a very low number, it can be up to zero, but the virus does not disappear.
“To eradicate means, in addition to reducing transmission to zero, the virus can also be lost. For example, smallpox, where there is no more smallpox virus, can be said to be eradicating smallpox”, explained Nyoman.
The routine polio immunization program had decreased due to the impact of the 1998 crisis. However, in 2002 the government issued another PIN. In 2005 the wild polio virus (wild polio virus) identified in Cidahu, Sukabumi, West Java. The polio virus handling in Cidahu is carried out in a fast action known as a sub PIN, so that the wild polio virus that enters Cidahu does not spread.
However, the virus spread to Sumatra and other regions. The government then designated polio as an outbreak and returned to implementing the PIN. As a result, polio was successfully eradicated again in 2006. Then in 2014, the World Health Organization WHO gave the polio-free label to Indonesia.
“Until now, no more polio sufferers have been found caused by the wild polio virus. So what can be done to minimize the spread of the virus? Immunization coverage should be as high as possible, 100 percent if necessary”, continued Nyoman.
The consultant for Immunization and Supervision of the CDC Atlanta Disease Prevention and Control Institute for Indonesia’s representative, Jane Soepardi stated that immunization through vaccines has proven to be the most effective public health approach. Immunization programs in humans cannot be successful without vaccines.
The key to success in freeing Indonesia from polio according to dr. Jane is supported by government officials who have a strong desire to remove this virus from Indonesia. In addition, the support of sufficient health and logistical resources will also help Indonesia be free from polio.
Communication with the public through various media is carried out well so that immunization with the appropriate vaccine can be accepted and proven to be an effective health approach.
Jane advised the public to believe in vaccines as a way to eradicate disease. Making vaccines is much more difficult and the conditions more difficult than making drugs. Because vaccines were created for people who are still healthy, while drugs are for people who are already sick.
“Therefore, the main requirement for vaccines is safety. The target of vaccines is for healthy people to stay healthy and become immune to certain vaccines,” he said.
Before vaccines are found or distributed, pandemics or epidemics such as Covid-19 can be addressed by implementing health protocols. This protocol is like the one being campaigned by #Covid-19 task force, that is #ingatpesanibu to #pakaimasker, #cucitangan use soap, and #jagajarak avoid the crowd.
Nyoman and Jane agree that immunization is a future investment for Indonesian children. Providing immunization protects them from infectious diseases, Indonesian children can grow up physically and mentally healthy.
(come on / fjr)
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