“The second booster is very effective and safe. The policy of providing a second booster for health workers is the right step," Prof. Zubairi Djoerban said when contacted here on Thursday.
In the early stage, the second booster is being prioritized for health workers, he noted. However, it is expected that later, the general public will be able to receive the second booster dose as well.
"The point is to start from the group with the higher risk," he said.
According to Djoerban, the second booster will increase antibody levels in recipients.
"This is very important to increase protection for individuals who have been vaccinated, including for health workers who are on the front lines of handling this disease," he said.
He expressed the hope that the coverage of second booster vaccinations will continue to increase amid the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the country.
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He also said he hoped that the first booster coverage among the general public would be increased.
"People who have not received the (first) booster (dose) are also advised to get the booster immediately," he added.
The current increase in COVID-19 cases must serve as an alert for all parties, he said.
"Like what we have said before, vigilance is still needed because even though the recovery rate is high, there are also patients who have died. Therefore, vigilance is still needed by increasing vaccination coverage and strengthening the health protocols," he added.
Earlier, the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health had issued Circular Letter Number HK 02.02/C/3615/2022 regarding the Second Booster Dose COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Human Resources.
The step to provide a second booster dose for health workers was taken because health workers are considered at high risk of COVID-19 exposure. The increasing number of COVID-19-infected health workers was also one of the considerations for the provision of the second booster dose.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adj
Editor: Suharto
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