UNS — The news is filled with the increasing Covid-19 positive rate in Indonesia. How is the vaccine effective in solving the issue? The Deputy Director of Education and Research UNS Hospital, dr. Tonang Dwi Ardyanto, Ph.D., responded to the issue.
dr. Tonang explained that the government had accelerated the vaccination program for Indonesians; however, vaccinated people still have the probability of getting infected by Covid-19. The proportion of this possibility is 3% at the national level and 10% for Jakarta, according to the simple simulation that dr. Tonang performed.
“Thus, to answer the question regarding people receiving boosters but infected with Covid-19, it was because when the vaccine was administered on our arm, it will form antibody in lungs. However, antibody formation in the respiratory tract is relatively low. Therefore, there is a risk of Covid-19 infection. Thus, what needs to be done is maintain health to prevent viral infection. If Covid-19 re-infection occurs, the symptoms will be mild because of the strong antibody formed in lungs,” dr. Tonang explained in an interview on Metro TV on Sunday (6/2/2022),
“Once again need to be emphasized that vaccine is to prevent symptoms not infection,” dr. Tonang added.
Responding to the hospitals that see increases in Covid-19 infection, dr. Tonang suggested home quarantine for people with mild symptoms and those under close supervision by the local government. dr. Tonang explained that people who experience Covid-19 symptoms need to get checked, and the healthcare professionals will determine the appropriate isolation method. “Or you could measure the breath rate, if it is below 20 per minute, then it is considered normal, but when it gets closer to 25-30 per minute, then (people) need to be alert,” he added.
dr. Tonang also explained that people’s worries of catching the infection from people going through self-quarantine have decreased, and community members should not worry about their catching infection from their neighbors who are self-quarantining. Ironically, many people still ignore the importance of health protocol under an argument of developing herd immunity; however, according to dr. Tonang, herd immunity is an animal husbandry term that cannot be implemented for humans. “Simply said, by not obeying the health protocols, it does not mean that herd immunity will be formed automatically. We need to be careful because even mild symptoms have a possibility of deterioration,” dr. Tonang explained.
dr. Tonang also added that the UK eases the health protocols in the country based on a clear calculation over the impact and solutions for the future probability. However, considering that only 48% of Indonesians had received the full shots, health protocols are still needed in daily life. He also reminded that community members should not ease their health protocols.
“With accelerated vaccination, strict health protocols, it is possible that Covid-19 infection in Indonesia will decrease and pandemic will soon be over,” he concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti