Kapuskes TNI: Vaccine Booster Is Effective In Preventing Exposure To Omicron BA.4 And BA.5

Kapuspen TNI Major General TNI dr. Budiman leads a special health meeting at the Wisma Atlet Kemayoran Hospital, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 14. (ANTARA/Putu IS)

JAKARTA - Head of the TNI (Indonesian Army) Health Center, Major General TNI dr. Budiman said the third or booster dose of vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection with the latest COVID-19 variants, namely Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

"This booster vaccine is very important and very effective to avoid the new variants of COVID-19, BA.4 and BA.5", Budiman told reporters at Tower 1 Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 14.

Budiman explained that vaccination is a technique to avoid COVID-19 that is more effective than just wearing a mask. Through vaccination, he added, the body will be better prepared to fight the virus.

Thus, to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, Budiman invites the public to actively support efforts to accelerate booster vaccination in their respective environments. Wisma Atlet Kemayoran also mobilized its human resources (HR) to accelerate the implementation of booster vaccinations in Indonesia.

"We have two volunteer vaccination battalions, with one battalion (consisting of) 300 volunteers. So, a total of 600 volunteers we spread to areas in Jakarta, even to West Java and Banten", he explained.

The obstacle currently facing the Government is that there are still people who are reluctant to implement the booster vaccine because they feel that getting twice the dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is enough to protect the body.

In fact, he added, people in some areas are still afraid to vaccinate because it is different from their habits.

"Hopefully we can all realize that vaccination is the most effective avoidance technique", he added.

In addition, he also appealed to the public not to panic or be afraid of the latest variant of COVID-19. The BA.4 and BA.5 variant viruses, he said, did not cause severe symptoms. The government has also predicted that this will happen so the government's readiness is very good.

"The important thing is to continue to follow health protocols, especially wearing masks, washing hands, and staying away from crowds", he appealed.

Although the Government has relaxed the rules related to health protocols, the public is asked to remain vigilant and take care of themselves so that the transmission of COVID-19 can be stopped.

"Indonesia is one of the countries that has succeeded in controlling COVID-19 with a very large population", he said.