How to Avoid Fake Vaccines

The case of fake vaccines has troubled many parents, as their effects make many people doubt the authenticity and safety of child immunization. In fact, there are easy ways for Little to get a vaccine that is guaranteed authenticity and safety. Vaccination is the process of giving antigens in the form of living microorganisms that have been weakened or dead, or parts that have been processed in such a way as to cause immunity to the recipient of the vaccine. The vaccine is given with the intention of stimulating the formation of active immunity against certain diseases.

What Is a Fake Vaccine?

Fake vaccines are preparations labeled vaccines that do not contain antigens, so they do not stimulate the formation of active immunity, and make them useless. The authenticity of a vaccine can be determined after going through laboratory tests by BPOM. From the results of the examination, fake vaccines generally contain the following ingredients:

• Intravenous fluids.

There are several types of intravenous fluids, but generally it is a solution of sugar and electrolytes.

• Vaccine Solvents.

Solvents are usually in the form of physiological saline or aqua pro injection which is safe for the body to absorb.

• Gentasimine antibiotics.

In Indonesia, antibiotics to deal with this infection are available in the form of liquids, eye drops, ear drops, to topical medications.

The results of investigations by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), Biofarma, the Ministry of Health, and related agencies said that the side effects of fake vaccines were thought to be small. Because it is diluted, if gentasimine is given in the vaccine, the dose that enters the body will be quite low. In addition, the vaccine package is smaller (0.5 ml maximum) than the gentamicin package (2 ml contains 80 mg). Thus, the maximum amount of gentamicin that enters the body is calculated to be around 20 mg. After achieving even smaller blood circulation, the drug is then excreted through the kidneys. Based on this logic, the long-term effects of gentasimine can be called very small. Side effects in the form of kidney and hearing disorders can only occur if gentasimin is given more than once or in high doses. In addition, infection or allergic reaction is a short-term risk that may occur due to injection of fake vaccines that contain intravenous fluids. In general, allergic reactions or infections that can occur will be seen within three days after the injection is done. Infections due to fake vaccines are thought to be due to the process of making a vaccine that does not meet sterilization standards.

Get the Certainty of a Safe Original Vaccine

According to a report by the Ministry of Health reported by Bio Farma, the distribution of fake vaccines is estimated to be no more than 1 percent in the Jakarta, West Java and Banten regions. Furthermore, the types of falsified vaccines are from expensive imported vaccine groups, from pharmaceutical companies such as GSK (Glaxo Smith Kline) and Sanofi Pasteur, namely Engerix-B as hepatitis B vaccine, Pediacel as a combination of Pertussis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hib, and IPV (a polio vaccine containing a dead Polio virus), and Havrix 720 as a hepatitis A vaccine. While the vaccine type from Bio Farma has been used for adulteration into fake vaccine packages, such as the measles vaccine and hepatitis B. Government hospitals and puskesmas generally provide vaccines for free. This free vaccine was obtained from an official producer appointed by the Ministry of Health. Therefore, to get the original vaccine, you can go to government health service facilities, such as puskesmas, posyandu, or government hospitals. The Ministry of Health guarantees vaccines distributed through government channels are genuine and safe. Here are the things that at least can be done, so that children are protected from fake vaccines:

• Ask the doctor who will provide immunizations to check the vaccine expiration date, vaccine container and seal, vaccine label, temperature marker, and the physical form of the vaccine. Checking the physical form of the vaccine can be seen from the presence or absence of sediment, color, and clarity. Distribution permits for genuine or fake vaccines can be checked on the BPOM website.
• Observe the child's body reaction after receiving the vaccine. Immediately consult a doctor if there is something that feels alarming.
• Report if there is anything suspicious to BPOM via Halo BPOM 1500533 or to the Ministry of Health at (local code) 1500567.

If your child turns out to get a fake vaccine, make sure he is registered and verified by the unit handling the fake vaccine. Registered and verified children can take part in the mandatory re-immunization at the Health Service referral location, in coordination with the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI). This vaccination can be obtained free of charge at government health facilities. Re-immunization should be given using the same or equivalent type vaccine provided by the government. This is of course done if parents agree, after getting a complete explanation.