Indonesian Doctors Association Asks The Ministry Of Health To Give Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine To Health Workers

ILLUSTRA TION / VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI) Slamet Budiarto considers there needs to be more protection for health workers from the COVID-19 attack.

Slamet suggested that the Ministry of Health vaccinate one additional dose of the workers so that they receive the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

It is known, currently, health workers are the priority targets for COVID-19 vaccination. They are in the first stage of administering the vaccine with two injection doses.

"We hope that the government, the Ministry of Health, will have a policy for a third vaccine booster", said Slamet in a discussion broadcast on the Holopis Youtube Channel, Tuesday, June 29.

Slamet explained that the third dose of vaccination for health workers is needed to protect doctors and health workers who mainly treat COVID-19 patients.

Slamet admitted that many felt symptoms and did not receive treatment due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

"In fact, our IDI chairman in the (regional) branch died due to difficulty finding a hospital. Then finally he got a hospital, but it was too late. So we ask the government to protect doctors and health workers more", he said.

"Hospitals are health services to the community. So, efforts are being made to protect doctors and health workers from getting infected. Even if they are infected, (the symptoms) are very mild", Slamet continued.

Until now, IDI noted that 401 doctors died due to exposure to COVID-19 during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Indonesian National Nurses Association (DPP PPNI) also noted that 324 nurses had died due to being infected with COVID-19.