JAKARTA - Commission IX of the House of Representatives reminded the government to re-increase the national vaccination program, especially boosters in anticipation of the spread of cases of COVID-19 variant XBB.1.16 or Arcrutus which has been detected in Indonesia.
Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives from the NasDem faction, Irma Suryani Chaniago, said that his party had long warned of the threat of an increase in COVID-19 cases during a meeting with the Ministry of Health. Moreover, the community has entered the moment of Eid Al-Fitr 2023 homecoming.
"Since the first month of COVID-19 was declared a case increase by the Minister of Health, I have warned to continue the booster vaccination," said Irma in her statement, Tuesday, April 18.
According to Irma, the lack of stock of booster vaccines in the regions is a challenge for the government to provide this service. Moreover, the booster vaccine is one of the doorstops for the spread of COVID-19 in the country because people who have received a booster dose of vaccine will not have a severe impact on the virus.
On the other hand, continued Irma, the government has not revoked the emergency status of COVID-19. So the booster vaccination should continue to be carried out. "Moreover, before Eid al-Fitr, it is only a matter of days. Let the Eid al-Fitr gathering take place properly, but must continue to apply 3M discipline," said the South Sumatra legislator. The Ministry of Health confirmed that the new variant of the corona virus or COVID-19 aka the Omicron XBB 1.16 subvariant has entered Indonesia, two cases have been found.
"Two cases," said Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Services of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, quoted on Sunday, April 16. XBB.1.16 has one additional mutation that, according to laboratory research, makes it more contagious and potentially more pathogenic.
Symptoms of XBB.1.16 were also reported to be the same as the previous variant, namely fever, shortness of breath, and cough. However, many of those infected also reported conjunctivistic and had sticky eyes.
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