How troublesome and sad it will be for us as parents to see our children fall sick, hospitalized and at risk of disability or death
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The commemoration of World Immunization Week is the right moment to educate the public about the importance of vaccination to build immunity, said Soedjatmiko, a Pediatrician and Member of the National Immunization Expert Advisory Committee or Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI).
“It is indeed important for our doctors and health workers to re-explain what the benefits of this vaccine are for so that parents do not only consider immunization a routine, but can also be properly educated,” he said in a written statement delivered by the Coordinating Ministry for PMK in Jakarta, Monday. .
Every fourth week of April, is celebrated as World Immunization Week. Indonesia is one of the 180 member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) which also commemorates this momentum by continuing to strive to educate the public about the importance of vaccination to build immunity.
Soedjatmiko gave an example of the BCG vaccine to prevent pneumonia and inflammation of the brain due to tuberculosis, DPT to prevent diphtheria which causes inflammation of the throat and heart muscle, the tetanus vaccine to prevent inflammation of the muscles so that it is difficult to breathe.
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The long-term impact if Indonesian children are incomplete in getting immunizations is the risk of developing preventable diseases.
“After being stricken with the disease, the patient can be treated in the hospital, even though he has recovered, he may have disabilities. At worst it ends at the risk of death, “said Soedjatmiko.
Even those who have been vaccinated are at risk for exposure to the disease, even though the symptoms are much milder and are not dangerous for those who have been vaccinated.
“The conclusion, for those who have babies, toddlers, children and adolescents, immediately complete the vaccination. Even if the records are lost, it is okay to be vaccinated twice, “he said.
What health workers don’t want the most is the outbreak of new diseases such as the measles epidemic, at a time when people are still battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“How troublesome and sad it will be for us as parents to see our children fall ill, go to the hospital and be at risk of disability or death,” he said.
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Soedjatmiko advised the whole community to play an active role in reminding parents, babies, toddlers, children and adolescents, and communicating the benefits of vaccination or routine immunization that are far greater than the negative issues surrounding vaccination.
“About 22 million Indonesian children are immunized every year and there are no problems. Immunization is safe and useful. For that, immediately complete immunizations for those who are incomplete, “he said.
It is hoped that this World Immunization Week will also be the right momentum to encourage elderly community groups to protect themselves from COVID-19 by being vaccinated.
“From around 21 to 22 million elderly people in Indonesia, it is necessary to be informed about this free COVID-19 vaccination. RT / RW administrators, volunteers, must visit elderly homes and explain the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and be assisted to the nearest vaccination location, “he said.
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Reporter: Andi Firdaus
Editor: M. Hari Atmoko
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