Remind COVID-19 Survivors, Task Force: Don't Feel You Have Antibodies Then You Are Free

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Task Force (Task Force) Handling COVID-19 Wiku Adisasmito confirmed that the condition of COVID-19 survivors has immunity so that they are not included in the priority group for vaccine recipients.

However, Wiku reminded survivors to adhere to health protocols. Because, it is not impossible that they will contract COVID-19 again if they are careless in their daily activities.

"People who have been exposed to (COVID-19, red) then they develop antibodies or immunity. However, immunity depends on the disease. There is immunity that is formed for a long time and there is also for a short time so that the potential for reinfection," said Wiku in press conference with Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, which was broadcast on the BNPB YouTube account, Friday, December 18.

According to him, the precautionary principle needs to be done. Moreover, COVID-19 is a recent pandemic so that no society is completely free from this virus, including survivors.

"So that is the principle of prudence, including those who have been hit, don't feel that I already have antibodies then I am free," he said.

Wiku asked all parties including those who have tested positive for COVID-19 to adhere to protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands until the vaccination program is carried out and its implementation is complete. He even asked survivors to imitate Riza Patria, who during orderly activities to wear a mask even though he had been exposed and was considered to have immunity.

"For example, Mr. Riza is still wearing a mask. This is one example (a survivor, ed) cannot ignore it. It is very dangerous. So we still have to protect ourselves," he said.

Previously reported, in a joint meeting with Commission IX DPR some time ago, Minister of Health (Menkes) Terawan Agus Putranto had stated a number of criteria for priority vaccine recipients.

In accordance with the recommendation of the Indonesia Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI), the criteria for recipients of the vaccine are 16 to 59 years old, healthy without comorbid diseases, not pregnant women, and never exposed to COVID-19.