The letter conveys the results of research (on the effects of the heterologous vaccination), including its safety.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) ensures that the heterologous administration of COVID-19 vaccines without regimen provisions is safe to be implemented.

"The recommended vaccines (to be used) are vaccines that are currently available and have received emergency use permit (EUA) from the National Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM)," Chairperson of ITAGI Sri Rezeki noted on Friday.

She said that ITAGI had sent Recommendation Letter Number ITAGI/SR/6/2023 concerning Recommendations for the Utilization of the COVID-19 Vaccine for the Community.

"The letter conveys the results of research (on the effects of the heterologous vaccination), including its safety," she remarked.

Meanwhile, Head of the Communication and Public Services Bureau of the Health Ministry Siti Nadia Tarmizi emphasized that heterologous vaccine utilization is safe for the public if it is administered according to the determined dose.

"The first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered using a heterologous method. Now, the injection of booster doses can also use any types of vaccines with an administration interval of six months (between the first and second booster vaccination)," she noted.

Hence, her side encouraged people to complete their vaccinations using any available types of vaccines.

The policy is in accordance with Circular Letter of the Health Ministry Number IM.02.04/C/2413/2023 concerning Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations.

It was signed by Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the ministry Maxi Rein Rondonuwu and came into effect starting from May 22, 2023.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Health Ministry Mohammad Syahril stated that the decision to remove regimen provisions for COVID-19 vaccination aimed at providing easy access for the public to get vaccinated.

According to the Health Ministry’s vaccination dashboard, as of May 26, 2023, some 86.87 percent out of the 234,666,020 people targeted for vaccination in Indonesia had received their first vaccine doses.

Meanwhile, recipients of the second, first booster, and second booster vaccination doses had reached 74.53 percent, 37.92 percent, and 1.75 percent, respectively.

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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