COVID-19 Cases Start Crawling Up, DPR Reminds Again Acceleration Of Booster Vaccines

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JAKARTA - Commission IX of the DPR reminded that the COVID-19 vaccination program or booster should be accelerated to anticipate a spike in cases following the findings of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The two sub-variants of the virus are the cause of the increase in Corona cases in Indonesia.

"DPR requests an acceleration of the COVID-19 booster vaccination program. The new subvariant Omicron must be anticipated with various supportive policies to avoid a new wave of COVID-19 cases," said Deputy Chair of Commission IX DPR, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, Tuesday, June 14.

As of last Friday (10/6), 8 new cases of the Omicron subvariant have been found in Indonesia, with details of two people being infected with BA.4 and the rest being infected with the Omicron subvariant BA.5. The man who is familiarly called Melki also reminded the importance of implementing health protocols.

"All elements of the community as well as the central, provincial, district/city level to the village level, do not be careless and continue to be aware of the potential for an increase in cases that may still occur," he said.

Not only that, Melki also emphasized the importance of strengthening testing, tracing, and treatment (3T). He considered that the tracing process must be carried out carefully to minimize the spread of the virus.

"Optimization of tracing is absolutely necessary because new subvariant cases of COVID-19 that have been found in Indonesia have been identified through local transmission, and partly because of imported cases," said Melki.

"3T massively and randomly within a certain period still needs to be carried out in various public facilities," he added.

It is possible that the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants spread faster than BA.1 and BA.2. In addition, people who have received immune protection caused by infection with the Omicron variant may still be exposed to this type of subvariance.

“Vaccination is key. The government must strive for all people to get immune protection through vaccines, including boosters," said Melki.

The coverage of the third or new booster dose is in the range of 22.71 percent. Melki assessed that the Central Government and Regional Governments need to re-invigorate cooperation programs with various parties in an effort to accelerate booster achievements.

"The government must cooperate with all elements of society to accelerate booster vaccination, including community leaders and religious leaders," said the legislator from the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) II Dapil.

Melki also encouraged people who had not yet received doses of vaccines I and II, to immediately go to the vaccination center. He reminded that vaccination would help people to avoid the dangers of the COVID-19 virus.

“People who have not been vaccinated so far must continue to be encouraged because this subvariant is vulnerable to attack those who do not have immunity. Carry out the first dose of vaccination, and complete the second vaccine for those who are already scheduled and intensify the third dose of vaccination for those who are on time," said Melki.

Commission IX of the House of Representatives itself is said to support the Government's plan to require boosters, such as in doses I and II. The hope, said Melki, is that the population's good immune level can prevent a spike in cases.

"Efforts are also needed to accelerate childhood vaccinations as a guarantee in increasing immunity to COVID-19, considering that children fall into the category that is susceptible to the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants," he said.

Furthermore, Melki asked the Government to prepare for the worst case scenario. He said that the start to see an increase in COVID-19 cases after Eid al-Fitr must be watched out for as well as possible.

"This upward trend must be watched out for and responded wisely before the policy of transitioning from a pandemic to an endemic state is implemented," said Melki.

“All elements of medical infrastructure in all regions must be ready. We must not be overwhelmed by all the worst possibilities," he added.

Even so, Melki appealed to the public not to panic with the new Corona subvariant. Because there is no indication that the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants cause more severe symptoms than other COVID-19 variants.

"But vigilance must not be relaxed and I continue to invite the public to always be disciplined in obeying health protocols in the midst of efforts to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Especially now that people's mobility and activities have started to return to normal with the relaxation of the rules," said Melki.

"We still have to be consistent in carrying out health protocols from the center to the village. Public awareness to live clean and healthy is very important, including for those who have been infected with COVID-19 because reinfection is still possible," he concluded.