Doctor: COVID-19 Survivors Can Still Be Infected

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The President Director of the Infectious Disease Hospital, Prof. Dr. Sulianti Saroso, dr. Syahril Mansyur Sp.P said there are a number of factors that cause COVID-19 survivors to still be exposed to the virus again, one of which is having close contact with those who are infected.

"Survivors can be re-infected, or reinfected, if they meet again with close contact or go to the red zone," said dr. Syahril through an online seminar, reported by Antara, Wednesday, July 21.

Not only attacking survivors, but the virus can also attack people who have been vaccinated, not to mention those who have been given even two doses of the vaccine.

Responding to this, dr. Syahril emphasized that vaccines do not 100 percent make the body fully immune from exposure to COVID-19. Vaccination will be effective if at least 70-80 percent of the community has been vaccinated, and community discipline follows health protocols.

"The vaccine does not protect 100 percent so that it becomes immune to COVID. Therefore, there is 70-80 percent of commodities need to be vaccinated to create herd immunity (communal immunity). If only a small amount is vaccinated, then there will be no impact, there will even be the transmission," said dr. Syahril.

"For those who have been vaccinated, the antibodies that appear may not be enough to kill the incoming virus. Moreover, people who have been vaccinated continue to be exposed to those infected with COVID. Especially with the new variants, because they have mutated more sophisticated and trick the existing immunity," he added.

Added, Medical Senior Manager of PT Kalbe Farma, dr. Esther Kristiningrum, said, for COVID-19 survivors who have never received a vaccine, they can follow the vaccination for at least three months after recovering.

"Because our goal is how to find herd immunity, now the priority is those who have not been exposed to COVID-19. If they have been (exposed to the corona virus), the body has formed antibodies against COVID, and over time, the antibodies decrease," said dr. Esther.

"However, it is not clear how long it will take for antibodies to decline, so the Association of Indonesian Internal Medicine Specialists (PAPDI), recommends vaccination after three months of recovery," he added.

He added, "Actually, if you have recovered, you can (immediately be vaccinated). However, the available vaccines are still limited and focus on herd immunity, so that priority is given to those who have not been infected with COVID-19 because there is no immunity related to COVID-19."