Efforts to Prevent the Coronavirus with Vaccines

Currently, Covid-19 cases in Indonesia have declined, but even so, prevention of the coronavirus must still be applied in daily life. One way to prevent the coronavirus is through vaccines. 

A vaccine is a biological product containing antigens in the form of microorganisms or substances that have been processed so that they are safe and, when given to a person, will actively build immunity against a particular disease. The government continues to work on carrying out Covid-19 vaccine injections for all people in Indonesia. From the beginning of 2021 until now, the Covid-19 vaccine has been distributed to people throughout Indonesia. Giving this vaccine is considered the most appropriate solution for reducing and breaking the chain of Covid-19 transmission.

Vaccination or immunisation aims to enable a person's immune system to recognise and quickly fight the bacteria or viruses that cause infection. The goal to be achieved with the COVID-19 vaccine is to reduce the rates of illness and death caused by this virus. Vaccination aims to provide specific immunity against a particular disease, so that if one is exposed to that disease one day, one will only experience mild symptoms. Conversely, without vaccination, one will not have specific immunity against a disease that should have been preventable by that vaccine. If vaccination coverage is high and evenly spread, herd immunity will form. In addition, Covid-19 vaccination can also maintain productivity and reduce social and economic impacts. Covid-19 vaccination is carried out once its safety and efficacy have been confirmed.

In tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccination is not the only effort to protect the public from Covid-19 transmission. Until herd immunity is reached, the effective prevention at present is to comply with the 5M health protocol, namely double masking with a medical mask covered on the outside with a cloth mask so that it seals the gaps of the medical mask, keeping a distance, washing hands with soap and running water, avoiding crowds, and limiting mobility.

Covid-19 vaccination has many benefits, not only for oneself but also for many other people. Like vaccines in general, the Covid-19 vaccine can potentially cause side effects for its recipients. Side effects such as a sore arm, chills, nausea and so on are perfectly normal after receiving a vaccine. They are a sign that the vaccine is working and the body is building antibodies to fight viruses that may infect it in the future. Side effects usually last for only about 3 days and go away on their own. However, in some cases a vaccine can cause an Adverse Event Following Immunisation (Kejadian Ikutan Pasca Imunisasi, KIPI). KIPI differs from ordinary side effects, so those who experience it need special handling.

The COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be a solution for ending the pandemic that has claimed many lives and paralysed people's activities, and our participation in this vaccination programme will greatly help the recovery of our country's condition.

Mata Banua newspaper 
https://matabanua.co.id/2021/10/05/e-paper-harian-pagi-mata-banua-selasa-5-oktober-2021/