Doctor Says Seniors with Pre-Existing Condition Can Still Get Vaccinated

TheIndonesia.co - A medical doctor has confirmed that senior citizens with pre-existing condition can still get vaccinated as long as the conditions are under control and regularly monitored.

Kuntjoro Harimurti, who specializes in internal medicine, said the pre-existing condition shouldn’t prevent the elderlies to get their COVID-19 vaccine doses even though they have to ensure the conditions are controlled.

“Pre-existing condition shouldn’t be a contraindication for the elderlies to get vaccinated. However, [their] conditions must be under control,” Harimurti said on Thursday, March 10, as reported by Antara.

According to him, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease are among some of the most common conditions found among the elderlies. Therefore, since the government first kicked off the national vaccination rollout, vaccinating the seniors with pre-existing condition has been done very carefully.

“During the initial period of COVID-19 vaccination program, it was indeed warned that elderlies, including those with pre-existing condition, must be very carefully treated and monitored,” the internist explained.

However, despite the extra caution the government and health experts have to pay, vaccines appear to be the solution to prevent senior citizens from becoming severely ill after contracting the virus.

“Those with medical condition are more prone to experience severe symptoms and medical emergencies when they get COVID-19,” Harimurti waned.

The Indonesia government continues to encourage senior citizens to get vaccinated as they are among the most vulnerable groups.

On Wednesday, Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan encouraged senior citizens to get COVID-19 booster dose as the number of elderlies in Jakarta who have received their booster shots is still relatively low. He asked the public to help the government in making sure that their senior family members are taking their booster, especially since Jakarta is currently on Level 2 of community activity restrictions, or PPKM, where a number of restrictions are lifted.

“We urge the public to be more responsive [in getting their booster shots], especially the elderlies,” Baswedan urged.