MAKASSAR - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has identified children aged 6-12 years who are planned to be targeted for vaccination with a total of 26 million children.
"The number of children we have identified is around 26 million, so if the President decides later, for example, there will be an additional 26 million vaccination targets," said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in Makassar, South Sulawesi (Sulsel) quoted by Antara, Tuesday, November 2nd.
Regarding vaccination in children, the Ministry of Health is reviewing a number of vaccine types that are considered the most suitable and suitable for children with the smallest possible effect.
Budi Gunadi said that post-immunization follow-up events (AEFI) in children are the most important consideration in maintaining the condition of children.
"The vaccine for children has only been approved now, because for children there are alternatives such as sinovac, sinopharm. Later we will see which one has the least impact, because we have to protect children's AEFI. Once we have chosen, we will vaccinate," said Budi.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health is also waiting for recommendations for the type of vaccine that is suitable for children.
"While we are working on children, I also order that those with the highest risk of being admitted to the hospital and dying are the elderly (elderly) so they are not children, teenagers or adults but the elderly," said Budi.
According to him, the vaccination coverage for the elderly is still quite low, which is at 40 percent nationally, so that vaccinations in the regions are requested to be intensified, including South Sulawesi which only reached 18.01 percent until October 31.
"So while you are busy vaccinating others, don't forget the priority that is easy to enter the hospital, the highest is the elderly and must be encouraged," he said.
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