Good News! Comorbid And Survivors Groups Can Be Vaccinated With COVID-19, Note The Conditions

JAKARTA - The government, through the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), has given the green light for COVID-19 vaccination for comorbids (comorbidities) and survivors group. But the COVID-19 vaccination for the two groups must meet specific requirements.

This was emphasized by the Ministry of Health through a circular (SE) number HK.02.02/I/368/2021 concerning the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Target Group for the Elderly, Comorbids and COVID-19 Survivors, as well as the Delayed Target.

The letter addressed to the head of the provincial and district/city health offices describes the vaccination screening for groups of comorbid and other chronic diseases with conditions that must be met.

In this regard, the heads of provincial and district/city health offices throughout Indonesia are expected to immediately take the necessary corrective actions in order to improve the smooth implementation of vaccinations and accelerate the increase in the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination.

The spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccination, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, explained that the circular was based on a study by the National Immunization Expert Advisory Committee and the Association of Internal Medicine Doctors (PAPDI) and the Indonesian Cardiology Association (Perki).

"The results of the study show that COVID-19 vaccination can be given to the age group of 60 years and over, nursing mothers, COVID-19 survivors after 3 months, and comorbidities. As for the implementation of vaccine administration, it must still follow the technical instructions for implementing COVID-19 vaccination," she said, through a written statement received by VOI, Sunday, February 14.

There is also a requirement, namely for the age group 60 years and over, the vaccination is given in two doses with an interval of 28 days. In addition, there is additional screening for the target age over 60 years, such as difficulty climbing 10 steps, frequent fatigue, having comorbid diseases, difficulty walking 100-200 meters, and significant weight loss in the past year.

"Meanwhile, for the comorbid group, in this case hypertension, vaccines can be injected unless the blood pressure is above 180/110 MmHg," she explained.

Meanwhile, the comorbid group with diabetes can be vaccinated as long as there is no acute condition. "Even a person with cancer and autoimmune disease are still possible to get vaccinated after being consulted with the treating doctor," she said.

Nadia explained that the coverage of vaccination is getting wider, COVID-19 survivors can also be injected with the vaccine if it is more than 3 months. Meanwhile, the delayed target group will be given information to come back to the health service facility to get the COVID-19 vaccination after the disease is under control or has received a certificate worthy of immunization from the doctor who treated it.

To support the vaccination process, said Nadia, all vaccination service posts are equipped with anaphylaxis kits and are under the responsibility of the health center or hospital.

"The readiness of the vaccination service post will play a very important role in improving the smooth implementation of vaccination and accelerating the increase in the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination," she explained.