"This policy was implemented to provide additional protection for vulnerable groups to reduce the severity and even (number of) deaths from COVID-19," the ministry's spokesperson, Mohammad Syahril, stated in Jakarta, Wednesday.
This policy is stipulated in Circular Letter Number HK.02.02/C/5565/2022 concerning the 2nd Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccination for the Elderly Group. It is effective since being stipulated by Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, on November 22, 2022.
Vaccines that can be used for the second booster dose are those that have received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the National Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization's (ITAGI's) recommendation while taking into account the vaccine's availability in each region.
The vaccines include the combination of Sinovac as the first booster, then followed by the second booster from the selection of AstraZeneca given as half dose, or 0.25 ml; Pfizer administered as half dose, or 0.15 ml; Moderna given as full dose, or 0.5 ml; Sinopharm offered as full dose, or 0.5 ml; Sinovac given as full dose, or 0.5 ml; or Indovac given as full dose, or 0.5 ml.
The combination for AstraZeneca as the first booster is Moderna given as half dose, or 0.25 ml; Pfizer given as half dose, or 0.15 ml; or AstraZeneca given as full dose, or 0.5 ml.
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The combination for Pfizer as the first booster is a full dose of Pfizer, or 0.3 ml; Moderna given as half a dose, or 0.25 ml; or AstraZeneca given as full dose, or 0.5 ml.
The combination for Moderna as the first booster is Moderna given as half a dose, or 0.25 ml, or Pfizer given as half dose, or 0.15 ml.
The combination for Janssen's (J&J) first booster is Janssen (J&J) given as full dose, or 0.5 ml; Pfizer given as full dose, or 0.5 ml; or Moderna given as half a dose, or 0.25 ml.
The combination for the first Sinopharm booster is a full dose of Sinopharm, or 0.5 ml, or Zivifax given as full dose, or 0.5 ml.
Meanwhile, the combination for the first Covovax booster is Covovax given as full dose or 0.5 ml.
The second booster of COVID-19 vaccination for the elderly can be given at least six months after the first booster is given, Syahril stated.
"For the elderly who have not received the first booster, please get the first booster immediately at the nearest health facility. We urge the elderly to ensure that their primary vaccination must be completed first," he emphasized.
Syahril also said that the elderly have a high risk of death if infected with the coronavirus.
"We appeal to people, who have not been vaccinated or completed their vaccination, to immediately seek COVID-19 vaccination. Do not delay and be picky. The best vaccination is a vaccination that is done right now," he emphasized.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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