Health Ministry Seeks Double Immunization for Measles Cases

VIVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted 2,161 suspected measles cases in Indonesia. A total of 848 cases of which have been laboratory confirmed and 1,313 clinically compatible in 18 provinces out of 38 provinces, in the period January 1 to April 3, 2023.

Based on this, the government continues to strive for basic immunization coverage to protect Indonesian children from various diseases that can be prevented by immunization. The consecutive measles and polio outbreaks have become the "slap" for the health ministry to improve immunization outcomes.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson dr. Mohammad Syahril stated the Ministry has made various prevention efforts, including measles, through immunization.

In 2023 the government initiated a chase vaccination program with multiple injections. This means that once coming to a health facility, babies or toddlers can get two basic vaccines at once.

In 2022, the Ministry of Health pursued immunization coverage through the National Child Immunization Month (BIAN).

The implementation of BIAN is divided into two stages, the first stage is given to all provinces outside Java and Bali starting in May 2022. It will also be implemented in 2023 by providing double injections in catch-up vaccinations for children who come to health facilities.

"BIAN consists of two immunization service activities; first, additional immunization service in the form of providing one dose of measles and rubella immunization regardless of previous immunization status. Second, catch-up immunization services, in the form of providing one or more types of immunization to complete basic and advanced immunization status for children who have not received age-appropriate vaccine doses," dr. Syahril informed through a press statement, quoted on Tuesday.

As information, immunizations given in the form of measles rubella immunization are given at the age of 9 months, followed by a booster dose at the age of 18 months, and when the child is in elementary school (age 6-7 years).

Meanwhile, catch-up immunization is given to children aged 12 to 59 months who are not fully immunized with OPV, IPV, and DPT-HB-Hib.

BIAN phase 2 will be implemented starting August 2022 in provinces in Java and Bali. Measles rubella immunization targets children aged 9 to 59 months, and catch-up immunization is given to children aged 12 to 59 months who do not complete OPV, IPV, and DPT-HB-Hib immunization.

"Chasing immunization is an effort to provide immunization to individuals because they have missed one or more doses of vaccine that should have been given," Syahril remarked.

"The implementation can coincide with the routine immunization schedule or special immunization activities," he added.

Furthermore, a total of 72.7 percent or 26.5 million Indonesian children received measles rubella catch-up immunization from the target of 36.4 million children. Where the largest proportion was contributed from the Java-Bali region by 98 percent of all achievements.

While 27 other provinces outside Java-Bali amounted to 63.9 percent.

In detail, the measles-rubella immunization achievements of all provinces in the Java-Bali region that have reached the 95 percent target include the provinces of West Java, Central Java, Banten, DKI Jakarta, and East Java. While only one province outside Java-Bali can reach the 95 percent target, namely South Sulawesi province. 

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While 27 other provinces outside Java-Bali amounted to 63.9 percent.