Want A Booster Vaccine So You Can Go Home? Doctor Reminds Body Must Be In Fit Condition

Illustration of a COVID-19 vaccine. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - A booster or booster vaccine is a requirement for permission to go home for Eid this year. Consultant pulmonology specialist in internal medicine, dr. Herikurniawan Sp.PD, KP, FINASIM advises people who are in an unfit body condition not to take vaccinations because it will affect the formation of antibodies.

"The body is still weak, or if it is infected, don't get vaccinated first because the formation of antibodies will not be optimal. When you are healthy, you can then be vaccinated," said the doctor at the National Central General Hospital Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (RSCM-FKUI).

In addition to unfit conditions, people who have experienced severe, life-threatening allergic reactions to previous vaccine injections are also not recommended to be given vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine to prevent pneumonia.

"If he was vaccinated before, he had a serious allergy, so he shouldn't be vaccinated," said Herikurniawan, quoted from ANTARA, March 26.

Pneumococci are one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccines, namely by inserting weakened bacteria, injected into the body, then the body will form antibodies against these bacteria.

When a person is exposed to bacteria, their body already has antibodies to destroy these bacteria. Even if infected, it can be prevented so that a serious infection does not occur.

There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines, namely PCV13 and PPSV23. The Indonesian Association of Internal Medicine Specialists (PAPDI) recommends giving PCV13 to people over the age of 50, while PPSV23 to adults over the age of 60 takes one dose each.

"Who is recommended? Namely people over 50 years old, adult patients who have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure, pilgrims who are candidates for Hajj or Umrah, health workers," explained Herikurniawan.

There are a number of things that need to be prepared before undergoing vaccination, namely bringing a record of previous vaccines, reading related vaccines to be received from trusted sources and confirming with the doctor.

Then, tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to vaccines or drugs, have experienced side effects from previous vaccines, or are pregnant and sick.

After the vaccine, sometimes there are side effects that can appear. According to Herikurniawan, the side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine are generally mild and can go away on their own, such as pain, swelling or redness at the injection site, sometimes fever 1-2 days after the vaccine, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain and some experience vomiting and diarrhea.

In addition to vaccination, prevention of pneumonia is no less important, namely always washing hands before touching areas of the face such as nose, eyes and mouth, then consuming healthy foods regularly, exercising regularly and not smoking.