Epidemiologist: All Children Must Be Vaccinated Before PTM 100 Percent

ILLUSTRATION ANTARA

PALEMBANG - Epidemiologist from Sriwijaya University Iche Andriany Liberty said that all children aged six to 11 years must be ensured to have been vaccinated before implementing 100 percent face-to-face learning (PTM) at the elementary school level.

"This vaccine must be a requirement for the implementation of PTM because children are a vulnerable group exposed to COVID-19," said Andriany in Palembang, South Sumatra, quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 16.

Vaccination is important because elementary school-aged children often neglect the implementation of health protocols.

"The names are children, they are different from adults who have taken care of themselves," she said.

Whereas on the other hand, children are a group that is vulnerable to being exposed to COVID-19, especially for those who have co-morbidities.

For this reason, all parties must encourage children to be vaccinated, especially the parents.

Parents do not need to doubt the safety level of the vaccine given because this product has been through studies and studies from experts.

"Not only Indonesia but also developed countries have vaccinated their children," she said, responding to the continued refusal from parents to vaccinate children.

In fact, as an epidemiologist, she reminded the government to continue vaccinating children not only in the age range of 6-11 years but also targeting early childhood and kindergarten age children, namely under 6 years.

As long as they haven't been vaccinated, it means that children who go to PAUD and TK can't be one hundred percent of PTM. That is the key for handling COVID-19, she said.

So far, vaccines are believed to be a surefire way to reduce the risk of illness and death if someone is exposed to the coronavirus.

The public must understand that the threat of the coronavirus continues to lurk, which until now cannot be predicted when it will end.