Stories Of Volunteers Injected With The COVID-19 Vaccine

The Unpad Research Team began conducting clinical trials of the second batch of the COVID-19 Sinovac vaccine. (ANTARA / Bagus Ahmad Rizaldi)

BANDUNG - Hendri Lesmana (45) did not feel any negative effects on his body after being injected with the COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine candidate is being clinically tested by injection into volunteers.

"At the moment there is no reaction whatsoever. The effect is not being felt either, "said Hendri, a volunteer for the COVID-19 vaccine, Friday, August 28.

After the injection, Hendri was asked to report if he felt a complaint. Hendri took part in volunteering for the third phase of clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

There are no specific rules in place for COVID-19 vaccine volunteers. These private employees can continue their normal activities.

"We have no restrictions for activities, nor are there special doctors for consultations. Only if there is a complaint that is deemed inappropriate, immediately report it to the team, "he added.

Hendri's decision to volunteer for the COVID-19 vaccine was rejected by his family. Hendri assured the family that the clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine was safe.

"There is fear from the family, actually only because of a lack of information, he thought because he wanted to be vaccinated against COVID later, he would even get COVID. Even though it's not like that, even though it's like an ordinary vaccine like immunization," he explained.

After injecting the vaccine, volunteers must undergo two more stages in the next two weeks.

Another volunteer, Adi, also did not experience certain symptoms after being injected with the COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Adi decided to become a volunteer because he wanted to contribute to handling COVID-19.

"Alhamdulillah, until now there have been no complaints whatsoever," he said.

As a volunteer for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate, Adi admitted that he received insurance coverage. Volunteers are also given transportation money.

Previously, Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Phase III Clinical Trial Research Team, Professor Kusnandi Rusmil, said an estimate of 1-2 percent of volunteers who experience the impact of clinical trials after injection. The impact is in the form of swelling at the injection site and symptoms of fever.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, President Jokowi said that vaccinations for the community will be implemented starting January 2021.

"I hope, God willing, in January we will start vaccinating," said Jokowi Tuesday, August 25.

Jokowi said this certainty after Indonesia succeeded in cooperating with other countries such as the United Arab Emirates and China. From this cooperation, the former governor of DKI Jakarta said that Indonesia has secured a commitment to procure 290 million doses of vaccine which are expected to be produced in Indonesia and abroad.

However, while waiting for January 2021, Jokowi asked the public to continue implementing health protocols to prevent transmission of COVID-19.