Discourse On The Third Dose Of Vaccination Appears For The General Public, Ministry Of Health: Not Yet Decided, Just A Recommendation

Siti Nadia Tarmizi (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - There is news that the government has opened a discourse on the implementation of a third or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination for the general public. Currently, booster vaccination is only targeting health workers.

When confirmed, the spokesperson for vaccination from the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi admitted that this was still only a recommendation from the Indonesia Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI).

"The government has not decided to plan this. (The third dose of vaccination) is just an ITAGI recommendation," Nadia told VOI, Thursday, August 5.

Currently, Nadia admits that the government is still focused on implementing the first and second doses of vaccination targeting 208,265,720 people, before there is any consideration of carrying out the third dose of vaccination for the public.

It is known, as of August 4, 2021, the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination has only been injected to 48,485,265 people and the second dose to 21,965,366 people.

"The government remains focused on implementing the first and second doses of vaccination. We will finish first to achieve group immunity," said Nadia.

Previously, in a virtual discussion, Nadia admitted that there was a need for a third dose of vaccination to the public. Because, there is a decrease in immunity after six months after the second vaccination on the Sinovac Vaccine brand.

"In accordance with ITAGI recommendations, there is a decrease in antibody titers for the Sinovac Vaccine, so a booster can be planned but later after 12 months or next year we will carry out a booster to the general public," he said.

As for its recommendation, ITAGI stated that the provision of booster vaccination to the community could be carried out with separate planning taking into account logistical problems and available human resources. Then, it can be carried out after 12 months from the first vaccination.