The government's decision to provide the fourth vaccine dose to health workers is the right step, Aditama, former director of infectious diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO), South-East Asia, who is currently a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Indonesia, said when contacted here on Monday.
"Regarding this second booster (dose), it has been proposed before. Because as we know, the vaccine's effectiveness decreases after a few months. Thus, to increase it again, a booster dose is needed," he added.
It is necessary to increase antibody levels considering the increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, he explained.
"In my opinion, people belonging to vulnerable groups such as older adults, those with comorbidities, and immunocompromised patients also need to get a second booster dose of the vaccine immediately," he said.
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The coverage of the first, second, and third doses must also continue to be increased because vaccinations have been scientifically proven to be useful in reducing the risk or possibility of contracting COVID-19, he added.
"In addition, dissemination of information regarding the importance of wearing masks, both indoors and outdoors, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 must be intensified," he said.
According to Aditama, people must also continue to be reminded that the pandemic is not over yet, and they still need to increase vigilance.
Earlier, the Health Ministry's Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control issued Circular Number HK 02.02/C/3615/2022 regarding the second booster dose COVID-19 vaccination for health human resources.
The second booster dose is being provided because health workers face a high risk of being exposed to COVID-19. In addition, the step has been taken on account of the increasing number of health workers infected with COVID-19 in the country.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adj
Editor: Suharto
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