Is it safe to carry out immunizations during the corona pandemic?

In the midst of the corona pandemic (COVID-19), many parents are worried about continuing with their child's immunization plans. This is because visiting crowded public places, including health facilities, can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to children and babies. However, during the corona pandemic, immunization actually plays an important role in controlling cases of infectious diseases so that it can prevent the emergence of other disease outbreaks that are no less dangerous.

The importance of immunization during the corona pandemic

By mid-April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had reached more than 200 countries, in which Indonesia alone had covered more than 30 provinces.

Although the number of sufferers and the mortality rate in this group of children is still lower than that of the elderly, children are still susceptible to contracting this respiratory disease.

However, that does not mean that parents do not increase awareness of children's health conditions. In a pandemic situation like this, children are still required to continue immunization.

The Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) encourages parents to continue to carry out immunizations in children according to the age and schedule previously determined.

Immunization during the corona pandemic is carried out to ensure children are still protected from the health hazards of infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines, such as hepatitis B, polio, and diphtheria.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

If most children in Indonesia postpone immunization, this situation could lead to an outbreak of infectious diseases.

Not to mention, the low immunization coverage in 2019 in Indonesia is only around 60-70 percent, which also increases the potential for the emergence of other dangerous disease outbreaks that take place after or even simultaneously with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Immunization during a pandemic does not pose a health risk due to the effects of coronavirus infection. If done in a proper medical procedure, immunization is also safe to do.

Who needs to administer immunizations during a pandemic?

From IDAI's recommendations, children aged 0-18 months are prioritized to get complete basic immunization during the corona pandemic.

In the early stages of birth, babies need to receive protection as soon as possible to build their immunity from dangerous diseases.

Immunization during the corona pandemic still needs to be carried out following the recommended schedule set by IDAI. The complete basic immunization schedule is set based on the child's age development, which includes:

• Immediately after birth: Hepatitis B0 + OPV 0
• Age 1 month: BCG
• 2 months old: Pentavalent 1 + OPV 1
• 3 months old: Pentavalent 2 + OPV 2
• 4 months old: Pentavalent 3 + OPV 3 + IPV
• 9 months old: MR1
• Age 18 months: Pentavalent 4 + OPV 4 + MR2

Immunization Pentavalent + OPV can be replaced with Hexavalent (Pentavalent + IPV). Furthermore, the complete basic immunization that is undertaken during a pandemic needs to be followed by additional immunizations that follow the following schedule:

• Age 2 months: PCV 1
• Age 4 months: PCV 2
• Age 6 months: PCV 3 + Influenza 1 vaccine
• Age 7 months: Influenza 2
• Age 12-15 months: PCV4

When should children delay immunization?

Delaying child immunization during the corona pandemic is actually not recommended. However, if you are in doubt, you should first consult with doctors and health workers. The time limit for postponement of immunization that is still tolerated by IDAI is 2 weeks.

Meanwhile, if you live or are in an area with a large spread of COVID-19, immunization during a pandemic can be postponed for up to 1 month.

However, you are expected to immediately bring the child for immunization when the condition allows.

However, the postponement or prohibition of immunization during the corona pandemic was imposed for groups of children with certain health conditions.

If the child has a history of contact with someone with COVID-19 and is in a sick condition, then the child is included as a patient under surveillance (PDP).

Children with PDP status must undergo quarantine or isolation according to the procedures established by the Ministry of Health and automatically postpone the immunization time.

If the child shows symptoms of weakness, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and a high fever (38 degrees Celsius or more) which lasts up to 3 days, immediately take the child to the nearest hospital. Especially if he experiences more severe symptoms of COVID-19, such as experiencing seizures and vomiting.

Conversely, if the child has had contact with an infected person and is still in good health, he or she needs to carry out independent quarantine and immunization when the corona pandemic is postponed for up to 14 days.

Rules for implementing safe immunization during the corona pandemic

To minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to children, immunization during the corona pandemic needs to be carried out following certain procedures.

Immunization can still be done at every health facility service center such as puskesmas, hospitals and clinics. However, you should make an appointment for a visit in advance to avoid overcrowding of visitors to the health center or queues for other immunization participants.

Also make sure you choose a health center that has implemented a separation of the area and time of visit for sick participants.

Health centers should have separate waiting room facilities for healthy participants from sick participants. The chairs in the waiting room are also arranged so that the distance between visitors is up to 1-2 meters apart.

Health workers must also confirm in advance whether the immunization participant has had contact with a person infected with COVID-19 or the family and people closest to the sufferer.

Preventive steps that parents need to take

People who are infected with COVID-19 may not look sick or show no health problems at all.

Therefore, you should continue to implement various prevention efforts against the transmission of COVID-19. Especially when you take your child to a health care center where they are exposed to various viruses that cause disease.

The precautions taken when going to a health care center are prioritizing personal hygiene and limiting distance and social interactions.

When carrying out immunizations in the midst of this corona pandemic, you and your child should apply the following preventive steps:

• Wear a mask to avoid splashing droplets containing viruses.
• Not standing or sitting close to other visitors.
• Do not allow children to play alone in the health facility area.
• Ensuring children are always under supervision.
• Covering the mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing.
• Get in the habit of washing hands using soap or cleaning fluids with at least 60 percent alcohol.

By implementing these various efforts, there is no need to worry too much because immunization during the corona pandemic is still safe to do.

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