No Need To Delay, Immediately Register For Booster Vaccinations To Increase Protection

JAKARTA - Head of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Zubairi Djoerban reminded that boosters are very important to increase protection for individuals who have been injected with the vaccine.

"With a booster vaccination, the protection for individuals will be stronger, even if infected, it will be much lighter," said Zubairi Djoerban, Tuesday, July 19, quoted from Antara.

Zubairi, who is a specialist in internal medicine, sub-specialized in hematology-oncology, added that apart from increasing vaccination coverage, the implementation of health protocols must also be strengthened.

"For those who haven't had a booster, get a booster immediately. For those who want to do activities, don't forget to wear a mask, because after all the transmission of the virus can be prevented and the use of masks is important to protect and protect," he said.

According to him, the increase in COVID-19 cases in recent times needs to be a common concern.

"The increase in COVID-19 cases needs to be a common concern, although the cure rate is high, there are also patients who die, so vigilance is still needed by increasing vaccination coverage and strengthening health protocols," he said.

Meanwhile, he also reminded that vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with comorbidities or comorbidities, need to equip themselves with vaccinations, starting from the first dose to the booster dose.

"Given that new Omicron subvariants are currently emerging, namely BA.4 and BA.5, an increase in vaccination coverage is needed and vigilance also needs to be increased," he said.

He also reminded the need to strengthen routine data and surveillance to support efforts to anticipate the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, previously the General Chair of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI) Dr. dr. Agus Dwi Susanto, Sp.P(K) invites the public to immediately equip themselves with COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent the risk of long COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome.

"The risk of long COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome increases when a person is infected with COVID-19 with severe symptoms. Therefore, by getting a complete vaccination until the booster is expected to have no severe symptoms and not experience post-COVID-19 syndrome," he said.