TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – World Immunization Week 2022 which takes place every fourth week of April reminds us of the importance of vaccination. It is very unfortunate when someone is exposed to a disease that could have been prevented or reduced its impact by immunization.
Not only the Covid-19 vaccination, there are many vaccinations that should be applied from birth to adulthood. Therefore, it is important to increase public awareness about complete immunization, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The corona virus reminds us of the benefits of immunization to fight disease, save lives, and create a healthier, safer and more prosperous future.
Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu said, immunization is one of the success stories of global health and development to save millions of lives. “Immunization is a key component of primary health care and an indisputable human right, as well as one of the best effective health investments,” he said at a virtual press conference for World Immunization Week 2022 on Thursday, April 14, 2022.
Not just supporting individual health, Maxi reminded that immunization helps support national priorities, such as education and economic development. “Success in increasing immunization coverage will have an impact on reducing mortality, the number of sick people, and the cost of treatment,” he said. A simple example, according to Maxi, is that parents must include immunization data that their child has received before entering a higher level of education.
Currently, there are various immunization which is useful for preventing more than 20 life-threatening diseases. Immunization currently prevents 2 to 3 million deaths each year from various diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles. In 2020-2030, immunization will save more than 32 million lives, of which 28 million are children under the age of 5 years.
The chairman of the National Immunization Expert Advisory Committee or ITAGI, Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro, said that the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a decline in the achievement of complete basic immunization. Various causes, among others, parents are worried about giving immunizations for their children. “In fact, basic immunization is important for infants and children until the age of 18 months to protect against various dangerous diseases that have been running so far,” he said.
If many infants and toddlers do not receive complete basic immunizations, there will be outbreaks of various diseases that can be prevented by immunization (PD3-I) which will result in severe illness, disability, or death. In order to increase the immunization coverage that is lagging behind, he advised parents to pursue immunization or catch-up immunization.
“Education for parents is important to understand that their children must catch up on immunizations that are left behind,” said Sri Rezeki. How, by giving a combination vaccine and multiple injections. He continued, parents do not need to worry about the side effects of combination vaccines and multiple injections or their effectiveness because there are already separate rules and procedures to make them safe.
Education for parents
- Before vaccination, it is necessary to record the immunizations that have been given to determine the appropriate interval and age
- For catch-up immunization, it is recommended to give vaccines to children in the form of a combination vaccine (combined vaccine) or multiple injections (multiple injection) to speed up the immunization schedule.
- Vaccines consist of more than one antigen in one package, for example DPT-HepB-Hib, MR, OPV.
- Reason: multiple vaccines must be given at the same age
- Safe, effective and efficient
- Does not cause serious side effects
- Reduce visits to health facilities
Double injection
- Immunization containing two or more antigens with different vaccine packages, at the same time
- Injected at different places or in the same area with a distance of about 2.5 centimeters each
The benefits of double immunization
- Protect children
- Immunizations are given as early as possible to protect children at a vulnerable time
- Reduce visits
Giving immunizations together means that parents and children do not need to come repeatedly to health facilities - More efficient
Health workers have more time to implement other programs.
The immunization process must still implement health protocols to prevent the transmission of Covid-19
- Must wear a mask
- Use a face shield
- Wear personal protective equipment or APD
- Wear gloves
- Washing hands
- Ensure the vaccination room is clean and the equipment is hygienic
Dhani Arifandi, Head of Medical Vaccines for Sanofi Indonesia, stated that he supports the government’s efforts to increase the coverage of the national immunization program. “No one should suffer or die from diseases that can be prevented by immunization,” he said. “We remind everyone to immunize, not to delay the immunization schedule for children and ourselves so that we can protect each other.”
Read also:
List of Immunizations Given to Children Up to 12 Years Old
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