Don’t Delay Child Immunization During the Covid-19 Pandemic

JAKARTA – Parents are naturally worried about joining the program immunization the basic child of the government when the Covid-19 pandemic was not over. Because this virus is very contagious and children are in the vulnerable category of contracting this virus. The number of positive cases is also increasing day by day, but the existence of a pandemic should not make parents decide to delay child immunization.

According to UNICEF, since March 2020, there has been a decline in child immunization rates throughout Indonesia. In May 2020, for example, vaccinations for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT3) as well as measles and rubella (MR1) fell 35 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. Parents do not want to take the risk of contracting Covid in the process of immunizing children at health centers or hospitals and clinics. (Read: So that Prayers Are Answered Quickly, Pay Attention to These Three Things!)

The Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) emphasized that the basic immunization program for children is very important for children’s health. Vaccines will protect children from the risk of contracting infectious diseases in the future.

IDAI also found that immunization rates continued to fall during the Covid pandemic. Apart from parents who did not bring their children immunizations, the cause of the decline was the cessation of a number of posyandu and puskesmas services in several areas due to the outbreak.

IDAI asks parents not to delay immunization children for the benefit of all. When delaying immunization, the risk of developing an infectious disease increases. The more people delay immunization, the greater the risk. Because, immunization basically aims to prevent the emergence of an outbreak. (Also read: Ministry of Education and Culture’s Featured Scholarship Interview Online)

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and IDAI have compiled a schedule for immunization of children according to their age. Immunization on schedule is important to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine.

The Covid-19 pandemic could trigger a pandemic of other diseases due to a decrease in child immunization rates. If two or more pandemics occur at the same time, it is inconceivable that the impact that will be felt by the community.

IDAI advises, if you really have to delay child immunization, don’t miss the recommended schedule. There are options for catch-up immunization or catch-up immunization, namely immunization to pursue or complement delayed immunizations. (See the video: Suspected Online School Depression, Students Committing Suicide)

For example, children are late or have not received the measles vaccine when they are 9-12 months old. Parents can include the child measles immunization at a later date. Follow the IDAI guidelines to get the appropriate chase immunization recommendations. (Faith Firmansyah)

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