KABARMALANG.COM – Malang City Health Office provides free PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine) immunization to prevent pneumonia (pneumonia) in infants and toddlers.
Residents can get free vaccines because Malang is included in eight regions in East Java that receive priority for PCV immunization from the Indonesian Ministry of Health.
The eight areas are Gresik Regency, Sidoarjo Regency, Malang Regency, Ponorogo Regency, Jember Regency, Kediri City, Kediri Regency and Malang City.
“If you have to inject independently at a specialist, the price for one injection can be up to a million. Come on ladies, take advantage of this opportunity. Malang City has priority for PCV immunization from the government,” said Head of Malang City Health Office, Dr. Husnul Muarif through the Immunization Program Manager, Endah Susyanty SKM, Thursday (18/11).
Endah said, PCV immunization helps babies to be free from pneumonia or pneumonia caused by Pneumococcal bacteria.
The vaccine was administered three times. Namely when the baby is two months, three months, and 12 months.
This PCV immunization complements the complete basic immunization (DPT, BCG, Measles, etc.) which provides double protection from pneumonia.
“Fathers and mothers who have babies under 9 months of age, take their babies to health facilities throughout Malang City. Without any conditions and without any fees. Of course the condition of the baby is healthy first. Because of the immunization requirements, of course the baby is healthy, “said Endah.
In providing PCV immunization, Endah reminded that the puskesmas staff would issue a PCV immunization schedule.
This schedule is useful because in PCV immunization a minimum of 4 babies is collected in one vaccine schedule.
There must be a minimum of four babies in one schedule because one vial (small bottle) of PCV vaccine is intended for four (4) babies.
“Later, the Korim (immunization coordinator) of each puskesmas will arrange the schedule. I just need to register and wait for the schedule,” explained Endah.
On the same occasion, pediatrician Dr. dr. Ery Olivianto Sp.A(K) confirmed that pneumonia or pneumonia is the number one killer in infants and toddlers in the world.
“The child mortality rate in the world, 15 percent due to pneumonia. This is the number one killer for toddlers and children,” said doctor Ery, who is on duty at the Children’s Clinic, Saiful Anwar Hospital (RSSA) Malang.
In the RSSA itself, in 2020 there were 271 cases of pneumonia of all ages undergoing hospitalization and 95 outpatients.
Meanwhile, from 2021 to October 2021, there will be 195 inpatients and 75 outpatients.
“In RSSA, it is usually the severe cases. I’m sure there are still many mild cases in other hospitals. So this disease should be watched out for,” said Dr. Ery, who is a respiratory consultant.
Mothers, continued Dr. Ery, should know the early symptoms of pneumonia in infants and toddlers.
The main symptoms are cough and fever. Then pay attention to the breath of the child or toddler, fast or not, shortness of breath or not.
If the child looks congested, especially if the baby is lazy to drink, has seizures, immediately take him to the doctor or contact the puskesmas staff.
Later the doctor will detect and confirm whether there is an attack of pneumonia or not.
Free PCV vaccine for Malang City residents. (photo : ist)
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To prevent pneumonia attacks, must see the risk factors first.
Fetuses who were born prematurely, were malnourished, or did not receive exclusive breastfeeding for six months had a higher risk of developing pneumonia.
Then toddlers who are in a room with air pollution, such as cigarette smoke are also susceptible to pneumonia.
Babies whose immunizations are incomplete are also more susceptible to pneumonia.
In addition to protecting the environment and staying away from risk factors, prevention of pneumonia is also through immunization.
There are several types of immunizations that can prevent pneumonia in children.
Among other things, immunization DPT (dipteri pertussis tetanus). Pertussis immunization prevents respiratory tract infections that cause pneumonia.
Then measles immunization. Measles is the most terrible complication of pneumonia.
Then there is influenza immunization which can also prevent pneumonia.
And the latest is the PCV immunization which prevents the malignant Pneumococcal bacteria, the main cause of pneumonia or pneumonia.
“Experience in other countries, after the administration of the PCV vaccine, pneumonia cases fell. In Indonesia, mass vaccination has just started at the puskesmas now. So this is a great opportunity for mothers and toddlers to get it for free. If you pay almost a million, “said Dr. Ery.
Where can children get Pneumococcal bacteria that cause pneumonia? Dr. Ery explained that Pneumococcal bacteria can be obtained from the air through the respiratory tract.
There can also be people coughing and spreading germs into the air. Unfortunately, the child inhales the air and enters it into the lungs.
Or children get infected from adult droplets that spread Pneumococcal bacteria.
“There is no hereditary factor in pneumonia. Not necessarily parents get pneumonia, children also get pneumonia. If it’s infected, it’s possible. But not heredity,” he explained.(carep-04/yds)
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