Vaccines are one of the greatest victories of modern medical science. However, the success of vaccination still depends on many factors.
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EDITOR
·3 minutes read
Kompas
Indonesian President Joko Widodo wearing a protective mask and face shield talks as he inspects the third phase trial for COVID-19 vaccine in Bandung, Indonesia, August 11, 2020.
Vaccines are one of the greatest victories of modern medical science. However, the success of vaccination still depends on many factors.
The key is acceptance. Mark Nichter and Mimi Nichter in the classic book Anthropology and International Health: Asian Case Studies (1989) say that acceptance of the vaccination program is influenced by three factors: availability, access and quality of health services, and the sociocultural condition of the community. This opinion needs to be underlined, amid the euphoria of the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.
Yesterday (Thursday, 15/10/2020), Kompas reported on the results of the journey of Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and State Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir to England. They signed a partnership with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, to ensure the supply of 100 million doses of vaccines. Previously, the Indonesian government had secured 390 million doses of vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm, both from China, and is exploring vaccine cooperation with South Korea.
With such a large number, in terms of vaccine availability, Indonesia is safe. Moreover, we are also developing national vaccines in several domestic research institutions and universities. Indonesia, with a population of 268.6 million people (Home Ministry, 2020), must be independent in vaccine procurement so that it does not depend on the international market and rent-seekers.
On the other hand, the development of a national vaccine known as the Red and White vaccine will stimulate the life of research in the country. Therefore, the dream of developing Indonesia based on research and technology -- as initiated by BJ Habibie when he was the state research and technology minister -- can be realized.
In reality, anti-vaccine groups continue to grow, although this trend is not unique to Indonesia.
However, there are still various factors that must be seriously addressed so that efforts to procure vaccines are right on target. In reality, anti-vaccine groups continue to grow, although this trend is not unique to Indonesia. The presence of social media gives them more opportunities to influence the public.
Kompas
A medical worker gives coronavirus vaccine candidate to a volunteer during a trial at a community health center in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Indonesia\'s only vaccine production company has started this week a so-called phase 3 clinical trials to test a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/Kusumadirezza)
In general, the reasons for refusing vaccines are based on conservatism, religion, and misconceptions. From the assumption that vaccines come from the West so that their halal quality is doubtful, can disrupt the nervous system, to sanitation -- not vaccination -- which is believed to increase immunity.
One of the impacts, as of November 2017, there were 95 regencies or cities in 20 provinces which reported diphtheria cases. Of the 622 cases reported, 32 people died.
It is not surprising that vaccination or immunization coverage in Indonesia is low. Health Ministry data in 2018 shows that only 87.8 percent of children have received complete basic immunization. One of the impacts, as of November 2017, there were 95 regencies or cities in 20 provinces which reported diphtheria cases. Of the 622 cases reported, 32 people died. In reality, diphtheria can be prevented by immunization.
Therefore, while waiting for the Covid-19 vaccines to arrive, the government needs to work with various parties. Without them, the availability of vaccines as much as possible can be useless.
