Some Things You Need to Know About Covid-19 Vaccination

Until now, the COVID-19 disease is still the biggest fear for the people of Indonesia and even the world. In addition to implementing health protocols, administering the COVID-19 vaccine is the most appropriate way to break the chain of transmission of this virus. Indonesia brought in the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac producer from China. A total of 3 million doses have arrived gradually in Indonesia until the end of December 2020. Then in January 2021 the COVID-19 vaccination was started. In the future, the community will receive COVID-19 vaccination in stages as a protection effort.

By getting a vaccine, you will also help protect the people around you from the corona virus. Especially people who are at high risk of developing severe disease due to COVID-19. For that, here are the facts about the COVID-19 vaccine:

Get to know the COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is a type of vaccine developed to increase the body's resistance to the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes the COVID-19 disease. There are several types of vaccines being developed. All of them contain substances that can boost the immune system that makes the body recognize and fight the virus that causes the corona virus. Sometimes, this process produces symptoms such as low-grade fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Safe and Halal COVID-19 Vaccine

At the beginning of the entry of the COVID-19 vaccine into Indonesia, not a few people doubted the safety and halalness of the vaccine. However, it should be noted that the vaccine that will be distributed in Indonesia must be sure to pass clinical trials and evaluations from the BPOM first.

Regarding its content, the COVID-19 vaccine made by Sinovac contains an inactivated virus, not a live or weakened virus. This vaccine also does not contain borax, formalin, mercury, and preservatives.

In addition, there are rumors that the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) stated that the COVID-19 vaccine contains non-halal ingredients, which is information that has been confirmed to be wrong. Of course, the safety of vaccines will also continue to be monitored, both during and after.

Variety of COVID-19 Vaccines

Minister of Health Decree No. HK.01.07 / MENKES / 9860/2020 concerning the Determination of Types of Vaccines for the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination specifies the types of COVID-19 vaccines produced by PT Bio Farma (Persero), AstraZeneca, China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (Sinopharm), Moderna, Pfizer Inc. . and BioNTech, and Sinovac Biotech Ltd are the types of COVID-19 vaccines that can be used for the implementation of vaccinations in Indonesia.

COVID-19 Vaccination Flow

You will follow the COVID-19 vaccination service process in a number of stages, including:

Registration and verification You are asked to show the vaccination ticket barcode and identification card.
Screening The health worker will carry out anamnesa and physical examination to check the health condition and identify comorbidities. If during the examination the prospective vaccine recipient is healthy, then the vaccination can be given.
Vaccinations Giving the COVID-19 vaccine to vaccine recipients safely according to health protocols.
Recording and observation The officer will record the vaccination results and the vaccine recipient will be observed for 30 minutes to monitor the possibility of Post-Immunization Follow-Up Incidents (AEFI). After that, vaccine recipients will receive a vaccination card and be processed for registration of the second vaccine.

If you have passed these 4 stages, you can return home immediately after vaccination.

Stages of Covid-19 Vaccine Recipient Group

The current supply of the COVID-19 vaccine obtained by the government is not sufficient to be given to all Indonesian people at once. So, the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine by the government will be carried out in stages. The first period will start from January to April 2021, and the second period will be from April 2021 to March 2022.

There are several groups that are prioritized to receive the vaccine first. According to WHO, health workers, public officials, and people who are at high risk of contracting or being seriously ill due to COVID-19, for example because they have comorbidities, are a priority group.

The following is a list of groups of recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine in Indonesia and the stages of administration:

Period I (January – April 2021)

Phase I, as many as 1.3 million for health workers
Phase II, as many as 17.4 million for public officials who cannot implement distance guard effectively and as many as 21.5 million for the elderly (over the age of 60 years)

Period II (April 2021 - March 2022)

Phase III, as many as 63.9 million for people with high risk of transmission, both in terms of residence or economic and social class
Phase IV, as many as 77.4 million to the general public with a cluster approach according to vaccine availability

The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to increase immunity against COVID-19. This means that giving the COVID-19 vaccine reduces the risk of being infected with COVID-19. A person who has received the vaccine can still be infected with COVID-19, but clinical trials have shown that administering the vaccine protects against severe disease.

For optimal protection, even though you have received vaccination, you still have to apply other COVID-19 prevention protocols, such as washing your hands regularly, wearing masks, applying physical distancing, and avoiding crowds before and after the vaccination process.

Those are the important facts of the COVID-19 vaccine that you need to understand. In today's digital era, information can spread very quickly and without borders. So, you need to be more vigilant and wise in filtering and disseminating information.