Immunization Programs In Indonesia Have Proven Success In Preventing Communicable Diseases

Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, dr. Reisa Broto Asmoro. (Photo: BNPB)

JAKARTA - The recovery rate for positive COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has increased from last week at 83.92 percent to more than 84 percent this week. In addition, more than 3.5 million Indonesians have tested PCR (swab) with the results, the positive ratio of COVID-19 only reached 14 percent, or more COVID-19 negatives than positive ones.

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has also launched a strengthening of contact tracing with a target ratio of 1:30, which means that from one positive patient, 30 of the patient's closest contacts will be traced.

"Another effort that is being made by the government to suppress the transmission of COVID-19 is to realize a vaccine program for the people. For this, the government is preparing vaccines and immunization procedures later. The Ministry of Health has also trained more than 8,600 vaccinators out of the 23,000 vaccinators who are planned to be prepared to support the program. the immunization campaign later, "said the Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, dr. Reisa Broto Asmoro in the statement received, Monday 23 November.

He said this in the Dialogue of Government Spokespersons and New Habit Adaptation Ambassadors with the theme "Administration of Vaccination in Indonesia", which was held by the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPCPEN), today.

It has been a long time since the immunization program in Indonesia has succeeded in preventing infectious diseases. Immunization expert dr. Jane Soepardi said that before the vaccine was invented, deaths from infectious diseases such as measles, diphtheria and pneumonia were a lot.

"With the birth of these vaccines, these dangerous infectious diseases have disappeared, even though people are often not aware of them. So our society must constantly be given knowledge about what diseases are successfully prevented by immunization. Don't forget to avoid vaccines later. old diseases reappear, "said dr. Jane.

He said, in designing an immunization campaign there are several factors that must be considered. First, according to him, you must have the vaccine first.

"Vaccines are not just any brand. So the principle of our country is that the vaccines used will be registered with the WHO," explained dr. Jane.

The second factor that needs to be prepared is the storage tool so that the vaccine does not spoil quickly. The third is determining the location of the immunization, usually using one particular location so that people can easily access it.

"Then what is also important is the person who will be immunized. If possible, there is already a list of names held by the officer. Then the addition is volunteers who help traffic at the location later," explained dr. Jane.

Well-planned outreach and outreach support must also be prepared in advance. That way, those who will come to the immunization location are ready and receive sufficient information about the program. Then later the implementer of this immunization program must be professional in their field.

"Every time a campaign there is always a new problem. If you do not have previous experience it will be serious. So it is very important for future immunizations, not to give people who do not understand the immunization campaign at all given the task and responsibility," said dr. . Jane.

In Indonesia there are immunization cadres in every village and have experience in providing immunization services. So according to dr. Jane, immunization cadres must be used, may be added from the scout, youth organization, and siskamling officers.

In order to foster confidence in the community about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, dr. Jane said that society should know vaccines are much different from drugs. Because the vaccine will be given to healthy people, therefore the vaccine requirements are made very strict.

"So it is better not to catch COVID-19, and if we are lucky to get the immunization, don't refuse, we are grateful if we get the COVID-19 vaccine," concluded dr. Jane.