COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Important For Elderly Health, WHO Study Shows Vaccine Can Reduce Serious Disease Incidence

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 booster vaccination is important for the elderly to maintain their health in the long term.

"Studies from the WHO show that at an older age, COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the incidence of serious illness, hospital admissions and death," said Chairman of the Indonesia Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI), Prof. Dr. Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro, dr. SpA(K) was reported by ANTARA, Saturday, June 25.

Giving booster vaccines for the age group 60 years and over can be given at intervals of at least three months after receiving the complete primary vaccine (first and second doses). Booster vaccinations can be carried out homologously or heterologously with vaccine regimens available in the field, which have obtained an emergency use permit from BPOM and are in accordance with ITAGI recommendations.

Homologous booster vaccination is a booster vaccine using the same vaccine as the primary vaccine platform type. For example, the first and second vaccines use AstraZeneca, then booster vaccines also use AstraZeneca

While the booster is heterologous, individuals are given vaccines on different platforms or vaccines on the same platform, however, with different brands. For example, the first and second vaccines use Sinovac, while boosters use AstraZeneca.

A booster vaccine is deemed necessary to deal with the corona virus which continues to mutate. Health studies on the COVID-19 vaccine show that antibodies decline within six months of primary vaccination.

"This booster can increase antibodies, very significantly," said Sri.

In addition to the elderly, groups who need to get a booster vaccine are people who have comorbid diseases and people who have immune deficiencies.

In people with comorbid disease, the vaccine can be given as long as the disease is controlled. For example, a booster vaccine can be given to people with diabetes as long as there are no acute complications. The public is advised to consult a doctor before the vaccine if they have a comorbid disease.

Around 76 percent of Indonesian people have not followed the booster vaccination. Post-immunization Adverse Events Surveillance data (AEFI) shows that the viral vector COVID-19 vaccine is safe to use for both primary and booster vaccines.

"Until now, AEFI surveillance data show that the viral vector COVID-19 vaccine is safe as a primary or booster (vaccine). Dr. dr. Hinky Hindra Irawan Satari, SpA(K), M. Trop.Paed, in the same webinar.

Reports submitted to Komnas KIPI stated that the side effects due to vaccination were mild and curable, such as fever, nausea and aches.