JAYAPURA - The Central Government recently added several types of vaccines in a complete routine immunization program (free of charge), to be given to babies.

Two of them are the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and Rotavirus.

Regarding the determination of the two vaccines to be included in the immunization program, the Health Department of Papua also invited the residents to bring their babies to carry out routine immunizations at Integrated Services Post, Local Government Health Center and nearby Regional Public Hospitals.

"In the past, these two vaccines were paid, now they are free because they are in government programs. So we hope that residents can come with their babies to be vaccinated because pneumonia and diarrhea are very dangerous," explained the Head of the Health Department of Papua, Robby Kayame, in Jayapura, Thursday (2/1/2023).

Chairman of the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) Papua Province Branch, dr. James Thimoty, ensures that PCV and Rotavirus immunizations are safe to be given together with other routine immunizations such as BCG, MR, DPTHb-Hib, IPV or Polio.

Although there are side effects such as fever, it is considered normal and is not permanent or can recover within a few hours.

"Every vaccine has side effects. It usually has a fever and will recover on its own. But in essence these two vaccines are safe, so, don't be afraid and don't delay. These two vaccines are free before they were obtained for a fee," he said.

UNICEF Papua Health Officer Immunization, dr. Husny Muttaqin, on that occasion invited the press to be able to socialize the importance of residents including their children in the PCV and Rotavirus immunization programs, because it can minimize infant mortality in this land.

"Therefore, we invite the press today to be able to participate in educating mothers in Papua who have babies so that they can include them in the PCV and Rotavirus immunization programs," he said.

It is known that PCV and rotavirus immunizations can be obtained at the nearest Public Health Center for free.

Both types of immunization have been proven safe and useful because they have been used in more than a hundred countries in the world and have succeeded in providing a significant decrease in the rate of pneumonia and diarrhea in recent years.

The administration of the PCV vaccine will target all districts and cities in Papua while the rotavirus vaccine is still limited to Jayapura and Merauke cities.

The administration of this vaccine will take place in the near future after the preparation process is completed. ***