dr. Deshinta Putri Mulya, M.Sc., Sp.PD, KAI (K), as an immunologist from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), revealed that patients who have once been infected with Covid-19 do not need to be vaccinated. He explained that people who have once been infected with Covid-19 and have been recovered do not need to be vaccinated because they have already had antibodies. Furthermore, that group is not listed in the vaccines group priority.
"For those who have been confirmed positive for Covid-19 and have recovered, they do not need to be vaccinated," she revealed in a talk show about the Covid-19 Vaccine organized by UGM Academic Hospital, online last Wednesday (13/1).
Deshinta also revealed that the human body that has been infected with the Covid-19 virus had created its immune system or antibodies for itself.
"Rationally, those who have been confirmed Covid-19 and have recovered already have antibodies," she explained.
The Head of the Immunology Division of the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, revealed that healthy people become the priority group to get vaccinated. Before being vaccinated, there will be screening for vaccine recipients for particular body conditions such as body temperature, blood pressure, and disease history.
She also continued that in distributing vaccines, people who will be vaccinated must be in good health and have no fever. If they have a fever more than or equal to 37.5 degrees Celsius, they should postpone the vaccination until they have recovered and proven free from Covid-19 infection. Then, they need to carry out the re-screening on the next vaccine time.
Meanwhile, people with certain diseases such as tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and others still can get vaccines as long as their condition is controlled. For example, TB patients under treatment can be given the vaccine at least two weeks after taking anti-tuberculosis drugs. Next, the vaccine is allowed for controlled patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1C below 58 mmol/mol or 7.5%. Next, vaccination is not given if the CD4 count is <200 or unknown for HIV patients.
"The Covid-19 vaccine cannot be given to autoimmune patients, kidney failure, and pregnant women," she said.
Moreover, Deshinta added that the vaccine would cause no serious side effects. The body will have a local or systemic response. Common local body responses include redness, swelling, soreness at the injection area, and cellulitis. Besides, the body will also respond to systemic reactions, including fever, muscle pain throughout the body, joint pain, full-body weakness, and headaches.
Author: Ika
Photo: halodoc
Translator: Natasa A