Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – In addition to the elderly, journalists in Malang City are given priority for the third dose of the vaccine or booster. This is because journalists are included in the group of people who are vulnerable to exposure to Covid-19, especially now that the new variant of the Omicron type has started to attack Malang Raya since the last 4-5 days. Regarding this, as many as 70 journalists received the third dose of the vaccine on Tuesday (18/1/2022) at the Mini Block Office of the Malang City Hall.
Head of the Malang City Health Office, Dr. Husnul Muarif, said that in this first wave, the news hunters received the Pfizer vaccine injection with a number of requirements. "Recipients of this vaccine must have received the first and second doses of the Sinovac vaccine, have a population registration number (NIK), and the time span from the second vaccination is at least six months. This vaccination is expected to suppress Covid-19 cases, especially from the Omicron variant which is currently rampant," he added.
Despite receiving the third dose of the vaccine, Dr. Husnul continues to urge the public to always be disciplined in implementing health protocols. According to him, vaccines do not guarantee a person's safety or immunity against virus attacks, so even though you have received a booster vaccine, do not ignore health protocols.
"So the booster vaccine is in accordance with the technical instructions this month we start and the first is for the elderly. Second, for vulnerable communities, namely those who have comorbidities or accompanying diseases. Next, for those who come into contact or who often interact with other people. In this case, yesterday the instructions from the Mayor of Malang were to involve the media," explained Dr. Husnul.
In this vaccination, according to the applicable regulations, the journalists received a half-dose injection of the Pfizer vaccine or 0,15 mm. Basically, said Dr. Husnul, the effectiveness of the half-dose injection or one dose is the same. "For the injection of the other three types of vaccines, such as AstraZeneca and Moderna, we are still waiting for the next shipment from the central government or East Java Province," he continued.
One of the famous media journalists in Malang City, Nurwidya Kusuma Wardani said that this booster vaccine is very much needed. Because the intensity of journalists' work is very high. "Every day we meet many people at work, so we are very vulnerable to being exposed to Covid-19," said this woman in a hijab.
A similar statement was made by national media photographer Ari Bowo Sucipto, who said that currently there is a very dangerous Omicron variant. Therefore, according to its designation, the booster vaccine to further increase the body's resistance to virus attacks, this third dose of vaccine is very necessary. (say/ram)
