Surabaya City Government Holds First Dose Of Vaccination For 1.000 Pregnant Women

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

SURABAYA - As many as 1.000 pregnant women in the city of Surabaya received the first dose of the Sinovac vaccine. Vaccination of pregnant women is prioritized at high risk aged 35-40 years old.

"Moreover, pregnant women are a vulnerable group of people. We prioritize high-risk pregnant women aged 35-40 years old", said Head of the Surabaya Health Service (Dinkes), Febria Rachmanita, in Surabaya, Thursday, August 19.

Febria said that pregnant women's vaccination is important. Moreover, the central government has recommended that pregnant women also receive vaccine injections.

"This vaccine is important to do to reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) because from the central government there are recommendations for pregnant women. So there is no need to worry about taking the vaccine", she said.

Febria said the vaccination for pregnant women was held at the Airlangga Convention Center (ACC) Campus C, Universitas Airlangga (Unair) Surabaya. Vaccination of pregnant women is mandatory when they are required for a PCR test.

"This is important to do, to increase the immunity of pregnant women against COVID-19", she said.

Not only that, Febria explained that the criteria for participants who were injected with the vaccine included being in good health, having no comorbidities, not surviving COVID-19 for less than three months, passing screening, and gestational age of 13 weeks to 33 weeks.

"So starting after three months until before 7 months (trimester 2). For the mechanism, we do it by invitation through the public health center (puskesmas) in each region. Furthermore, the health workers on duty are from Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RSUA)", she said.

Of the 1.000 vaccine participants, said Febria, 600 of them are pregnant women who have been recorded by health centers spread over 31 sub-districts. Especially those who receive assistance in the First Thousand Days of Life (HPK).

"Then next, for another 400 pregnant women from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Association (POGI) and the Hospital. Now for the conditions to bring a photocopy of their ID card and Maternal Child Health (KIA) book", she said.

Febria advised that although this pregnant woman has received the COVID-19 vaccine, the implementation of health protocols (prokes) must also remain disciplined, given the possibility of contracting COVID-19. Therefore, the Surabaya City Government emphasizes that even though pregnant women have been vaccinated, they must still implement health procedures.

"This vaccine doesn't mean we can't get infected, but if it's vaccinated our bodies already have immunity in the body", she said.