dr. Fita Wirastuti, M.Sc., Sp.A., as a specialist doctor of children in Academic Hospital (RSA), said that immunization or vaccination in infants or children should continue even in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Basic immunization must be taken. For example, if the conditions are not possible, it can be postponed a maximum of 1 month. Still, again it would be much better if the immunization took according to schedule," Fita said on Wednesday (29/4).
The spread of a new type of Coronavirus that is increasingly widespread and infecting millions of people makes everyone worried, including parents who have babies or toddlers. There is a fear of parents taking children out of the house, one of them visiting a hospital or health service to vaccinate their children.
Fita said to avoid Coronavirus transmission to children; parents can first make an appointment with the hospital. Arrange the scheduled time that is possible to cut the waiting time while in the hospital.
"Make an appointment, so that the time can be precisely just right. The baby and the parents do not have to wait too long," said the Head of the UGM RSA Inpatient Installation.
She urged parents not to worry too much because hospitals and health services have now made a flow or separation of rooms for visitors with patients, including those who will use immunization services.
The importance of vaccination
In the middle of the World Immunization Week, which is celebrated every May 24-30, Fita stressed the public about the importance of immunization or vaccination. A vaccine is one of the efforts to protect yourself by increasing the immune system.
"The vaccine works in principle is the protection of the body's defense by exposing bacteria or viruses that have been licensed so that the body's defense system forms protection or antibodies," she explained.
Fita explained that the vaccine given to overcome specific diseases. Vaccines, hopefully, can prevent the risk of infection from dangerous and deadly diseases, namely, tuberculosis, pertussis, polio, measles, rubella, chickenpox, pneumonia by Hib and pneumonia, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and also meningitis.
"Babies must take vaccination to protect themselves and others. Particularly at this time, we easily connected with the countries around the world. Therefore, it also affects the rapid spread of many infectious diseases," she said.
In addition to self-protection, immunization can protect others. Immunization coverage higher than 90 percent can form community immunity. If the coverage is lower or under 90%, it will be challenging to create groups that can protect many people.
Even though vaccines are mandatory for everyone, there are several groups of people who cannot be vaccinated. One of them is people who allergic to vaccines. Meanwhile, for people with deficient immunity, or people who use drugs that increase endurance, such as cancer drugs/steroids, in the long run, can be immunized differently. This case applies to people with diseases related to low endurance, such as HIV and malnutrition. Vaccines given are not with bacteria/viruses weaken, but with bacteria/viruses that are killed. For example, the polio vaccine does not use a drip vaccine but with an injection vaccine.
Author: Ika
Photo: Shutterstock
Translator: Natasa A