The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Health finally decided to cut the timing of giving the third stage of vaccination or booster vaccines of Covid-19 for the elderly group.
Now, this third stage of vaccination can be injected into the elderly (> 60 years old) within three months after stage one and two vaccinations or have been fully vaccinated. So far, the booster vaccine is given 6 months after the second dose is injected.
Regarding the type of vaccine given as a booster, it refers to the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). The type of booster vaccine given can be the same as the previous primary Covid-19 vaccine, or it can be different. The booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccination can be done homologously or heterologously.
However, Director General of Disease Prevention Control (P2P) Maxi Rein Rondonowu said the Sinovac vaccine remains focused on children aged 6-11 years.
“Considering that currently the number of Sinovac vaccines being distributed is limited and targeted at children aged 6-11 years, for this booster, you can use vaccines other than Sinovac,” he explained in a circular letter to adjust the booster COVID-19 vaccination, Tuesday (22/2/2022). ).
Here are the points for the COVID-19 booster vaccination adjustments, which take effect today:
- Booster doses for the elderly (age > 60 years) can be given at intervals of at least three months after receiving complete primary vaccination.
- The booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination can be done homologously or heterologously. The vaccine given is a COVID-19 vaccine regimen that is available in the field and which has received EUA from BPOM and is following the recommendations from ITAGI.
- Considering that currently the number of Sinovac vaccines being distributed is limited and targeted at children aged 6-11 years, for this booster, vaccines other than Sinovac can be used.
- Primary dose vaccination should still be pursued in order to achieve the target.
- The procedure of giving, the place of implementation, the flow of implementation, and recording of the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination still refers to Circular Letter Number HK.02.02/II/252/2002.
