Message From Depok Health Office: COVID-19 Vaccine Doesn't Cancel Fasting

Head of Depok City Health Office, Mary Liziawati. (Photo: JD01/Diskominfo)

JAKARTA - Depok City Health Office (Dinkes) confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination did not cancel fasting. This is in accordance with the Fatwa of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Number 13 of 2021 concerning the Law on COVID-19 Vaccination while fasting.

Head of Depok City Health Office, Mary Liziawati, said that despite fasting, vaccinations were still given according to schedule. It is one of the efforts to establish herd immunity.

"Vaccination services continue to run even in the month of Ramadan because they do not break the fast," said Mary Liziawati, quoted from the Depok City Government website, Tuesday, April 5.

Mary explained, that there are several explanations in the MUI Fatwa. That is, the vaccination process can be carried out during the day when Muslims are fasting.

Then, continued Mary, vaccinations will still be carried out for the general public, either in doses of 1, 2, or booster. Then, before vaccination in the fasting month, it is necessary to have adequate rest and suhoor by eating a balanced nutritious diet.

"It was also conveyed to continue to carry out health protocols during the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination," she concluded.

Previously, the Government Spokesperson for Handling COVID-19, Reisa Broto Asmoro, suggested that vaccination activities during Ramadan should be carried out before breaking the fast to anticipate post-immunization follow-up events (AEFI).

"If you want a vaccine, choose a time that is close to breaking the fast. Symptoms of AEFI usually appear four to six hours after the injection. So when the AEFI begins to be felt, you can immediately take medicine," said Reisa Broto Asmoro, Monday, April 4.

Reisa who is also a Behavior Change Ambassador said that AEFI is a normal reaction that occurs at the vaccination stage. In the most severe conditions, AEFI needs to be overcome by taking pain relievers.

However, Reisa ensured that during Ramadan the government had allocated a half-dose of vaccine so that the risk of AEFI that appears is relatively lighter when compared to the full dose.

"Even many who have completed two doses, their AEFI does not appear," she said.

In order to maintain stamina during the vaccination queue, said Reisa, participants are advised to consume balanced nutrition at dawn so that they have sufficient energy for activities throughout the day.