Yogyakarta Waits For Booster Vaccination Rules For Pregnant Women

COVID-19 VACCINATION ILLUSTRATION/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

YOGYAKARTA - The city of Yogyakarta is still waiting for regulations regarding the provision of booster vaccinations for pregnant women amidst the incessant implementation of vaccinations for children 6-11 years old and booster vaccinations for the elderly and public servants.

“Until now, there are no regulations regarding the provision of booster vaccination for pregnant women. We are still waiting for the rules and mechanisms," said Head of the Yogyakarta City Health Office, Emma Rahmi Aryani, quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 30.

Referring to the provision of primary vaccination to pregnant women, continued Emma, there are a number of rules and conditions that must be observed, including the gestational age and maternal health condition when undergoing vaccination.

The gestational age of pregnant women who are allowed to undergo vaccination is 13-32 weeks to receive the first and second primary doses of vaccination.

"There are no rules for booster vaccination. It is also possible that the dosages can be different and the same applies to the types of vaccines that may be given," he said.

Because there are no regulations regarding vaccination for pregnant women, he continued, the booster vaccination was postponed.

"Hopefully, pregnant women can implement strict health protocols so as to avoid potential exposure to the virus," he said.

Meanwhile, the achievement of booster vaccination in Yogyakarta City, especially for the elderly, reached around 29 percent last weekend. "From the target of around 56,000 elderly, there is already more than 13,000 elderly who undergo booster vaccination," he said.

According to the regulations, the elderly who generally receive the Sinovac vaccine as the primary vaccine will receive a booster vaccination with a half-dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines.

"The provision of booster vaccinations is also carried out for ASN and teachers, which is expected to be completed on Monday (31/1)," he said, adding that there were around 12,000 targets.

The Daily Head of the Yogyakarta COVID-19 Handling Task Force Heroe Poerwadi said the booster vaccination was also carried out by the heads of economic and tourism actors.

"Part of it is handled by the DIY government because Yogyakarta City is completing vaccinations for children and boosters for the elderly," he said.