KPAI: Parental Involvement Required for Child-Friendly Covid-19 Vaccination

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) appreciated the swift action of all parties in supporting the fulfillment of children's health rights through the Covid-19 vaccination. Based on the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) data, 12.6 percent or around 250,000 of the total Covid-19 cases in Indonesia came from the child age group.

“We are grateful that this concern has encouraged various parties to cooperate in anticipating it,” said KPAI Commissioner Jasra Putra in a written statement on Monday, June 28.

Thus, the participation of parents, doctors, health workers, children, and the child vaccine committee in presenting child-friendly inoculation needs to be optimized as much as possible. This is as mandated by the Child Protection Law. “Including the readiness of parents, for example, if there is a post-vaccine reaction,” he said.

He assessed that doctors and healthcare workers are used to administering immunizations to children. So, parents do not have to worry. However, Jasra said that communication must be maintained.

“This will also strengthen efforts to reach herd immunity in schools that lead to PTM (face-to-face school learning),” said Jasra.

In this way, children can be asked to be an active part in reducing the impact of the pandemic. Previously, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said the Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 years could be carried out immediately following the issuance of an emergency use authorization (EUA)by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) for the Sinovac Vaccine.

Read Also: COVID-19 Vaccinations to Begin Soon for Children Aged 12-17, Says Jokowi

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