Idul fitri 2022 booster vaccination is mandatory.
Especially in Indonesia, at the end of Ramadhan, they celebrate the Idul Fitri, which is followed by homecoming to their hometown, normally in the village, meeting their big families and praying together. These acts become a hereditary tradition up until now.
But now, Ramadhan is a little bit different. Having an evaluation that last year Ramadhan had significantly increase the spread of Covid-19, massively, the Government of Indonesia made an official regulation of a mandatory booster vaccination as the obligatory requirements for going home, if they don’t want to do antigen or PCR tests anymore.
The Ministry of Health appealed to the public to immediately carry out booster vaccinations. Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said that the government’s goal to announce the booster vaccine early is that it is a requirement for homecoming so that people can prepare themselves for vaccination centers. Although vaccination booths will be set up at a number of homecoming locations, people are still advised to get a booster beforehand.
Why did the government announce the booster requirements for going home ahead of time? Even before the circular letter of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force was issued, the President announced that we were allowed to go home, but we had to have a booster. The efforts to hasten booster vaccinations before traveling home are also to anticipate the effects. If travelers feel the symptoms or effects while in the middle of the trip, it can interfere with comfort and safety. It is worst to feel the side effects, fever or nausea, especially in the middle of the trip. It’s not really good, even though we want to enjoy it when going home, hanging out with family.
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Regarding post-vaccination reactions such as pain or soreness at the injection site, fever, headache, and others, it is something that is natural. It is said that this condition is a sign that the body is reacting in order to form antibodies. Remember, that reaction can occur while fasting or not. Post-vaccination reactions are generally short-lived and can occur for people who are fasting or not.
The implementation of the policy for prospective travelers to receive booster injections or boosters for the Covid-19 vaccine has been able to consistently increase booster vaccination coverage. At the national level, the vaccination achievement as of Wednesday (5/4) reached 9.52 percent of the Ministry of Health’s target or an increase of about 15 times in 3 months. According to Prof. Wiku, the Government Spokesperson for Handling Covid-19, this booster is for self-protection and so they don’t carry the virus when they meet their family back home.
Then, referring to the statement of immunologists, the formation of antibodies in the body on average takes 1-2 weeks after injection. Therefore, the public is advised to immediately fulfill complete and booster vaccinations at least 2 weeks before carrying out large-scale social activities such as going home. Vaccinations will also continue during the month of Ramadan as was the case last year.
However, the question arises again regarding the best time to be vaccinated considering several effects to the body when fasting. Regarding the injection time, health educator, dr. Muhamad Fajri Adda’i said that giving vaccine injections can actually be done during fasting or at night after breaking the fast. However, the Covid-19 told that it was necessary to pay attention to the type of vaccine that would be obtained.
According to the study, the mRNA-based vaccines, namely Pfizer and Moderna, had a fairly high side effect. Other very common side effects in Pfizer booster recipients were fatigue reported by 63.7 percent of participants, headaches by 48.4 percent of participants, muscle aches and chills. Meanwhile, the least reported side effects in the trials included joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. This result is by no means surprising because the side effects actually work as an indication of the immune system’s reaction to the vaccine. Older adults have weaker and less strong immune systems, so their bodies are less likely to get an immune response.
As for Moderna, based on the data, the third dose caused similar side effects or symptoms in recipients such as pain in places as reported most frequently to participants (76 percent). The other most common symptoms were fatigue and muscle aches at 47.4 percent, headaches (42.1 percent) and joint pain (39.5 percent). Other reported side effects have also included studies, fever and nausea.
Reflecting on the type of vaccine, it is advised that the vaccination should be at night or near the time of breaking the fast. But if some people want to be vaccinated at work, ideally they should prepare the body in a fit condition and with enough sleep so that the vaccine can help optimally increase antibody levels. And also, it is suggested to not to be stressed out. If there are symptoms of Covid-19, like fever, it is better not to do it, especially the elderly, who have diabetes, dizziness, or any other co-morbid.
Speaking about the official regulations by the government, here are five points of mandatory requirements;
- People who have received a booster dose of vaccination are not required to show a negative result of the RT-PCR test or rapid antigen test.
- People who have received the second dose of vaccination are required to show a negative result of the rapid antigen test whose sample was taken within 1 x 24 hours or a negative result of the RT PCR test whose sample was taken within 3 x 24 hours before departure as a condition of travel.
- People who have received the first dose of vaccination are required to show a negative result of the RT-PCR test whose sample was taken within 3 x 24 hours before departure as a condition of travel.
- People with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that prevent travelers from receiving vaccinations are required to show a negative result of the RT-PCR test whose samples were taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before departure as a travel requirement and the requirement is to attach a doctor’s certificate from Government Hospital stating that the person concerned has not or cannot take the Covid-19 vaccination.
- Children under 6 years of age are exempted from the vaccination provisions and are not required to show a negative result of the RT-PCR test or rapid antigen test, but must travel with a travel companion who has complied with the provisions for vaccination and Covid-19 examination.
Talking about the benefits of vaccines, the head of the laboratory from Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai, Dr. Palat Menon said people should not miss the opportunity to be vaccinated for fear of experiencing some of the side effects. According to him, the immune response is said to be twice as effective when people fasting. When people fasting for 12 hours, whether for religious or medical purposes, the immune system works more quickly, clearing all debris or diseased or dead cells and toxins as well. This process is called autophagy and during this period, the immune system becomes very sensitive and effective.
Clinical Pathology Specialist at Medeor Hospital Laboratory, Dr. Gunjan Mahajan said the human body is very strong to face the virus which is dormant even when we’re fasting. The body is in a state when we are at rest and does not have to perform anabolic, catabolic or metabolic tasks and the immune system is most effective when we’re fasting. In the vast majority of cases, the side effects that the vaccine manifests are sore arms, dizziness or headaches. Regarding the timing of vaccination, he suggests to choose closer to iftar, especially for those who are worried about side effects. So if it is possible, people who are afraid of suffering from side effects can choose the hours before iftar to get injected, then continue resting to regain energy for breaking the fast.
But in the end everyone is different. Some people may prefer to get vaccinated in the morning after suhoor or sahur, while others prefer to be closer to iftar. But, again, medically, there is no contraindication to be vaccinated when fasting. The vaccines used are safe and useful to increase the immunity. We hope that during this month of Ramadan, both Muslim and non-Muslim communities will continue to carry out health protocols.
