Routine Immunization Of Children Should Be Prioritized Prior To COVID-19 Vaccine Administration

Illustration/DOCK BETWEEN

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the International Pediatric Association (IPA) Aman Bhakti Pulungan said routine immunizations need to be given priority to children before administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We want routine immunization to take precedence and then to be immunized with COVID-19," said Aman during the discussion agenda of Multisectoral Support for Pursuit of Immunization organized by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) online, Monday, November 29.

Meanwhile, General Chairperson of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Piprim Basarah Yanuarso said this priority must be done because the number of diseases that can be prevented by immunization is greater than the injection of the COVID-19 vaccine.

He realized that COVID-19 is indeed an infectious disease that must be prevented. But, on the other hand, other diseases such as measles and polio should receive more attention because they can infect children who are not vaccinated regularly.

"COVID-19 can be contagious but the death rate is still low. Measles, polio, and others are more dangerous, although not as bad as COVID-19," said Piprim in the same agenda.

For that reason, Piprim reminded the focus of handling the COVID-19 pandemic not to neglect routine immunization because it could risk triggering extraordinary events (KLB) in the future.

"Let's not forget about routine immunizations for children because we are hunting for a COVID-19 vaccine, so routine vaccines are neglected," he said.

Therefore, IDAI then launched the Complete Incomplete Immunization for My Child (LITTLEKU) program in order to pursue routine vaccination coverage for children who were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This needs to be done to prevent the emergence of diseases that could previously be controlled by immunization in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If immunization drops below 60 percent, diseases that were previously under control can appear again," he said.

With this program, it is hoped that there will be regular reports to IDAI of cases of diseases that can be prevented by immunization, such as diphtheria, measles and rubella. Moreover, the coverage of basic immunization for children has decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the country since March 2020.

In fact, basic immunization is important to maintain children's immunity, especially to protect children when they are doing Face-to-face Learning (PTM) activities at school.

"In addition, many doctors are worried about the immunization program being chased or given to children who are late or immunization participants who only realized after the schedule was missed," he concluded.