Ministry Of Health: 4th Dose Vaccination Follows The Development Of The COVID-19 Dynamics

Screenshot of Plt. Director of Immunization Management of the Directorate General of P2P of the Ministry of Health Prima Yosephine/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) stated that the fourth or second dose of vaccination for the general public is still being considered because the government must continue to follow the dynamic development of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The possibility could be given. We from the government as outlined in its guidelines that changes in the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination are very dynamic, said Plt. Director of Immunization Management of the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health Prima Yosephine in Webinar, Antara, Jakarta, Monday, November 7. Prima stated that the fourth dose for the general public must still be adjusted to the situation and situation of epidemiology. In addition, the government must obtain a study from the National Immunization Expert Advisory Committee (ITAGI) first before it is widely distributed to the public. The decision to give the fourth dose until now has not changed. Giving is still intended only for health workers who come into contact and provide health services directly with COVID-19 patients. "For other segments such as adult groups 18 years and over, we give it the first booster or third dose. Until now the policy is new and still like that, "” he said. According to Prima, what should be underlined at this time is not about giving the next dose. Rather, increasing booster coverage among vulnerable people such as the elderly or adults with comorbidities. “ Because boosters in the elderly are then for adults but those who have comorbidities and those who have impairment immunity, this is also still quite low in achievement. That should be 100 percent for risk groups, so we still emphasize at that level on a program basis,” Prima said. On the other hand, Prima stated that the government will continue to encourage the third dose as a condition for traveling or an activity, as an effort to increase public awareness of the dangers of COVID-19 and increase the use of boosters. The determination has also been included in the policy for handling COVID-19 to welcome the 2022 Christmas and 2023 New Year holidays. The third dose of provisions apply not only to Indonesian citizens but also to foreign nationals (WNA). In addition to increasing booster coverage in the community through travel requirements, the Ministry of Health is currently also collaborating with the WhatsApp Application to improve public health services. Some of the features developed are data collection on children to prevent stunting through posyandu, notifications for immunization reminders for children for families and health workers, notifications for checking schedules for meeting doctors, public health campaigns, and as a center for information support for health workers. "We are also from the Ministry of Health now utilizing WhatsApp to targets who have not fully vaccinated and have not received a booster but are already eligible. We sent this target several times to remind him to immediately complete the incomplete primary vaccination or booster," said Prima.