The Moderna vaccine can finally be used for the public, after previously only being used for healthcare workers as a booster. Before being distributed to the public, the Moderna vaccine has gone through a series of tests by health institutions. In Indonesia, the Food and Drug Authority has conducted research with the National Committee for Covid-19 Vaccine Assessment and the Indonesia Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) regarding the safety and efficacy of the Moderna vaccine. Based on phase 3 clinical trial data in November 2020, the Moderna vaccine was proven to be able to prevent the severe effects of Covid-19 by 94.1% (group age 18–65) and 86.4% (group age 65 and over). These results were obtained through observations starting on the 14th day after the second dose was administered.
What’s Moderna Vaccine?
The Moderna vaccine (or mRNA-1273) was developed by Moderna, Inc. and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) headquartered in the United States. Moderna vaccine is an mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine that works differently from vaccines that use inactivated viruses (e.g. Sinovac and Sinopharm). The mRNA vaccine works by teaching our cells to produce spike proteins to form an immune response. After the immune response is formed, antibodies are activated which become a shield to protect our bodies from the virus. Just like other types of vaccines, the use of the Moderna vaccine will prevent us from the severe effects of being infected with Covid-19.
Studies have shown that the Moderna vaccine is effective in preventing Alpha and Beta variants. Moderna itself said that research shows that Moderna’s vaccine can fight Beta, Delta, Eta, and Kappa variants, even though it showed that the vaccine is two times weaker against Delta than against the original virus. Although the Moderna vaccine’s efficacy against the Delta variant still requires further research, some experts believe the Moderna vaccine may work like the Pfizer vaccine since both are mRNA vaccines.
After being vaccinated, it’s normal to have a fever, headache, or chills. This means the vaccine is working, “teaching” your cells to make spike proteins. The Food and Drug Authority stated that Moderna vaccines can cause local and systemic reactions with grades 1 and 2 severity. The most common reactions that arise include sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and chills. To get maximum protection, the Moderna vaccine must be given twice within a span of one month.
Moderna Vaccines for Jakarta
People with chronic lung disease, significant cardiac disease, severe obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are recommended to use the Moderna vaccine. However, the Moderna vaccine is only recommended for those aged 18 years and over. If you have certain health conditions, make sure you’ve consulted with your doctor before getting vaccinated.
In Jakarta, the use of the Moderna vaccine is prioritized for groups of people who have autoimmune, cancer, and kidney failure. If you don’t fall into those categories, you’re highly encouraged to use other available vaccine types. Remember, all vaccines are good, so you don’t have to be picky. The terms for Moderna vaccine recipients in Jakarta are as follows:
- have never received a Covid-19 vaccine;
- Moderna vaccine is given to those who can’t be given Sinovac and AstraZeneca based on a doctor recommendation
As of now, the Moderna vaccine is only given in several health facilities. The following is a list of health facilities in Jakarta that provide Moderna vaccines for the general public:
Moderna Vaccines for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine. Source: beritajakarta.id
A total of 3,000,060 doses of Moderna vaccine from the United States arrived in Indonesia last July. Initially, the Moderna vaccine was prioritized to be given as the third dose for healthcare workers in Indonesia, which is estimated at 1.5 million people.
Other Countries Using Moderna Vaccines
Besides Indonesia, other countries in the world also use the Moderna vaccine for their people, such as the United States, Germany, and Italy. Referring to data presented by ourworldindata.org, from May 21, 2020–21 August 2021, the Moderna vaccine for the first dose has been used as many as 143 million in the United States, 9 million in Germany, 8.45 million in Italy, 8.28 million in France, and 7 million in Spain.
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, what are you waiting for? Don’t waste the opportunity, especially when you can get it more easily by registering yourself through JAKI. If you don’t have JAKI yet, get it from the Play Store or App Store for free!
The more people are vaccinated, the sooner we’ll be protected from the severe effects of Covid-19. Vaccination not only saves ourselves but also saves people with vulnerable health conditions who aren’t eligible to be vaccinated.
112