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Giving vaccine to children clinically to create healthy growth and development of children, not easily infected with viruses, and avoid death due to complications of various diseases. Complete immunization guarantees children’s health and safety. So important is the role of immunization that the government issued Regulation of the Minister of Health No. 42 of 2013 concerning the Implementation of Immunization. However, awareness of immunization, especially complete immunization in Indonesia, is still at 12%.
National immunization program data shows a decrease in awareness of the importance of vaccination. For example, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations decreased by 13% between January and March 2020 when compared to last year. If ignored, this reduction can have an impact on children with the risk of serious complications and death. (Read: Are Peanuts Good for Diabetics?)
“Lack of parental awareness in understanding the benefits and importance of complete immunization is the cause of the lack of vaccination coverage. Mothers must ensure optimal protection for their children through vaccinations,” said the Head of Public Relations of the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) Prof. Hartono Gunardi in Jakarta. yesterday.
Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella are types of diseases that can have serious consequences for children. “Referring to the call from IDAI and the Ministry of Health not to delay child immunization, we advise parents to come to the doctor immediately and ensure that the child has received complete immunization, especially for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella immunization,” he said.
The measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella viruses generally attack children in elementary school age and can trigger other dangerous diseases. Varicella, known as chickenpox, for example, has a 90% chance of transmission to susceptible individuals. The virus can attack all age groups, including newborns. Nearly 90% of patients with varicella are children under 15 years of age.
“Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines or better known as MMR should be given twice, namely to children aged 15 months and 5 years. As for children who have not received measles immunization at 12 months of age can be given MMR immunization,” said Hartono. (Also read: Don’t want Solo to be a trial and error event, PKS prepares to fight Gibran)
Unfortunately, the Indonesian public’s awareness of the importance of immunization is still very low. During 2016–2019, there were four regions with a coverage rate below 80% which is the national target figure. The four regions are Aceh, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Papua, and North Kalimantan.
Head of Research and Development Center for Resources and Health Services Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Irmansyah said the condition was very unequal when compared to Java Island, which covers 95%. The uneven coverage of immunization is caused by various factors, including low public awareness of immunization and the vast area of the region.
“For example, people are reluctant to bring immunized children because the child will be sick or hot after being immunized. Or there are issues regarding the halal and prohibited vaccines used,” he said.
Therefore, the family approach through the puskesmas is the government’s way to increase the reach of targets and coverage of immunizations to make them evenly distributed, especially in areas with low immunization coverage.
If the baby has not received complete immunization, the child will have a high risk and be more susceptible to various diseases from viruses that are easily transmitted when they play and socialize with the surrounding environment. (Also read: The US Military Is Secretly Interested In Nuclear Hypersonic Missiles)
“If the child is late in immunization, it is still advisable to continue immunization or what is known as catch-up immunization,” said a pediatrician from Pondok Indah Hospital, Dr. Ellen Wijaya, SpA.
Chase immunization is an immunization given outside the recommended time. Delayed immunization still provides a protective response to the body even though it hasn’t been for a long time. “However, parents need to know the types of vaccines that can still be given to their little one, the schedule, and the frequency of administration,” continued Ellen.
For example, the diphtheria pertussis and tetanus (DPT) vaccine which is needed to prevent the condition when seriously ill due to this disease is given three times as the basic immunization. “If the DPT vaccine is given too late, regardless of the delay interval do not repeat from the beginning, but immediately continue immunization. The same applies to other vaccines, including hepatitis B, polio, MMR, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and varicella,” said Ellen.
There are several additional notes that need to be considered by parents in carrying out chase immunizations. BCG vaccine which is useful for preventing serious illness due to tuberculosis is recommended before the age of 3 months with an optimal schedule of 2 months of age.
“However, if your child has not received immunization and is over 3 months old, it is necessary to test the tuberculin first before receiving the BCG vaccine,” said Ellen.
The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) according to the IDAI immunization schedule is given three times, namely at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months, then a booster at 12 months of age. However, if your child is late with this schedule and is currently 7-12 months old, PCV is only given twice at two month intervals and a booster is given at the age of more than 12 months or at least two months after the last dose. (See the video: Bayern to Champions League Final, Optimistic to Win Treble Winner)
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