More Vulnerable to COVID-19, People with HIV Difficult to Get Vaccines and Treatment in Hospitals

The results of a rapid survey conducted by the Positive Indonesia Network (JIP) regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for people with HIV found that at least 19 percent of people with HIV had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

A survey conducted in June 2021 to 1,137 respondents also found that 30.3 percent had received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, another 50.7 have not and have not received a COVID-19 vaccine schedule.

A total of 47.4 percent of respondents who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine are worried because they have a history of comorbidities. Meanwhile, 9.7 percent of respondents did not receive clear information regarding the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and 9.7 percent of respondents were afraid of the side effects of the vaccine.

“Protection with a COVID-19 vaccine for people with HIV is critical in these difficult times. Unfortunately, doubts, fears and misinformation from various sources have made many people with HIV reluctant to vaccinate,” said the National Coordinator of the Positive Indonesia Network, Meirinda Sebayang, citing a press statement, Saturday (24/7/2021).

He added that there should be greater efforts to ensure people with HIV, health workers and all communities are involved in vaccine programs.

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