CITIZEN JOURNALISM

Omicron Threatens that Covid-19 Vaccination for the Elderly is Still Low

By Rivani

JAKARTA, PARTNERSHIP – In the middle of the government's plan to provide boosters, vaccination coverage for senior citizens in Indonesia is still low. In fact, the elderly are a vulnerable group exposed to Covid-19, including the threat of the new Omicron variant. Data collection, distribution and access to vaccines for the elderly are still obstacles.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health as of Thursday (06/01/2022), vaccination coverage for the elderly group was only 42.96 percent of 21,553,118 seniors. According to the World Health Organization or WHO, the low vaccination attainment of the elderly is caused by accessibility, unequal distribution of vaccines, and lack of education to the public.

In Tasikmalaya, West Java, for example, 12,563 elderly people have received the first dose of vaccine and 9,615 the second dose. This achievement is still far from the elderly vaccination target in Tasikmalaya, namely 58,522 elderly. A similar thing happened in Mamuju, West Sulawesi. The local health service said that vaccine coverage was only 15.76 percent of 89,156 elderly people.

In the reports received by Laporcovid19, there were 308 citizen reports from August to December 13 2021 regarding obstacles to the government's vaccination program. These reports include the difficulty of getting a vaccine due to lack of information, data collection, vaccination management that does not comply with health protocols, and the difficulty of getting a second dose of vaccine with the same brand as the first dose. The reason is unequal distribution and running out of vaccine stocks.

This is also according to CISDI, PUSKAPA, 2021 notes that the government is still having difficulty reaching the elderly. Limited and unequal vaccination distribution and service capacity between urban and rural areas also occurs. The difference in access on the island of Java and outside Java means that Indonesia often faces the risk of vaccination inequality. This situation is made even more difficult by the lack of transparent information regarding the distribution of the first and second vaccine doses.

In fact, the elderly are a vulnerable group exposed to Covid-19. Moreover, a new variant of Omicron with a higher transmission rate has been found in Indonesia. In fact, the variant first identified in Africa is thought to have entered Indonesia since November. At least 46 cases were found in this country.

In the midst of these conditions, the government will carry out vaccinations boosters or third dose. Vaccine boosters to the elderly group who have the status of PBI BPJS Health participants, namely those who are said to be poor and underprivileged people as participants in the Health Insurance program. This will be implemented through an unpaid scheme in January 2022. Meanwhile, a paid mechanism will be provided for the general public

From this statement, is a booster necessary? Meanwhile, not all of the elderly group have received the full dose. Also is it fair if boosters are given for a fee to the general public? Said Firdaus Ferdiansyah from Laporcovid19

In the CISDI journal entitled Policy Input to Ensure Guaranteed Access for Vulnerable Groups to Covid-19 Vaccination in Indonesia explained, administering the third dose is very important. However, administration of these doses must be based on scientific evidence regarding reduced immunity and clinical protection, and reduced vaccine effectiveness. Vaccination is also targeted at population groups that need it most, namely seniors over 65 years and patients with immune disorders.

In current circumstances, the elderly vaccine policy is a top priority. This policy is also very contrary to Health Law no. 26/2009 which mandates that everyone has the same right to gain access to resources in the health sector.

This means that all Indonesian citizens, regardless of economic and financial status, are obliged to get free access to the third vaccine in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. To prevent violations of this law, the government needs to accelerate and expand coverage of doses 1 and 2 for the elderly.

In a press release held by the civil society coalition CISDI, PUSKAPA, Lapor COVID-19, and Transparency International Indonesia which are members of the Healthy Society Coalition on (17/12) submitted a recommendation: The government should abolish the policy boosters paid and clarifying plans for 70-80% coverage of first and second dose vaccines. The government is also urged to accelerate vaccination outreach to vulnerable communities, guarantee the availability of supply and capacity for third dose Covid-19 vaccination services for seniors 65 years and over, and prepare governance to provide the third dose free of charge to the entire community. The government also needs to strengthen vaccination coverage throughout society, especially for the most vulnerable citizens by mobilizing primary health services.