The Effect Of Sideping The Polio Vaccine Is Only Fever Or Swelling, IDAI Calls This Lighter THAN Children Must Be Happy

Chairman of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K)/ANTARA

JAKARTA - General Chairperson of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K) appealed to the public not to hesitate to give polio vaccines to children because the risk of vaccine side effects is much lighter than being exposed to polio. "The side effects of the vaccine are much lighter than polio," Piprim told Antara in Jakarta, Thursday, November 24. Side effects that can occur after the child gets vaccinated are usually fever or swelling, but the risk is still much better than that of a child being paralyzed and having to be supported by a stick or active in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. IDAI expressed concern over the discovery of a polio case in Pidie Regency, Aceh, which befell a seven-year-old child with paralysis on his left leg. The findings of the case became an Extraordinary Incident (KLB) of the polio case because Indonesia had been free from polio for a long time and received an official certificate from WHO in 2014. Piprim said the outbreak could repeat itself if immunization coverage was low, therefore it was important to increase immunization coverage in all regions. The decrease in routine immunization coverage was also influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic which made people reluctant to crowd. "In Indonesia, the initial immunization coverage is usually 90 percent lower to 80 percent, immunization for children with a lower decline," he explained. On the other hand, Piprim mentioned that there is misinformation that spreads on social media which makes people doubt vaccination. "People are hesitant about vaccines, but don't worry about their illness," he said. He emphasized that immunization is a child's human right that must be given by parents and has been provided free of charge by the government. He appealed to parents to immunize their children in nearby health facilities so that children are protected from various diseases, including polio. For people who are hesitant because they consider the halal vaccine, he said that MUI Fatwa states that the legal immunization program is mandatory. In addition, there is an emergency concept where if the vaccine is not given, the child affected by the disease can suffer a disability or die. "So, even if you say the vaccine does not or there is no halal certificate yet, when the disease causes death or defects, immunization must be given," he explained. In addition to vaccination, efforts to prevent polio are with a clean and healthy lifestyle by the community.