"Kemenko PMK wants to remind the importance of education and dissemination of information regarding the benefits of immunization to improve the community's understanding and awareness regarding the matter of basic immunization of children," deputy for coordination for health quality improvement and population development at the ministry, Agus Suprapto, said when contacted here on Thursday.
According to him, intensive education and dissemination efforts can support the implementation of the 2022 National Children’s Immunization Month (BIAN).
The active role of the community is crucial considering that BIAN is the right momentum to complete children's basic immunization, he said.
Suprapto asked parents to visit the nearest community health center (puskesmas) or seek information from official government websites regarding the implementation of the 2022 BIAN.
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Regarding education and dissemination, he said that it is necessary to promote the benefits of immunization to protect children and families from dangerous diseases.
In addition, it is also essential to promote the safety of immunization so that parents do not hesitate to get their children immunized, he added.
The deputy further said that during the implementation of the 2022 BIAN, children will get basic immunizations such as measles, rubella, polio, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, as well as the DPT-HB-Hib vaccine, which, according to the Health Ministry's website, is meant to prevent six diseases, namely diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, pneumonia, and meningitis.
"Immunization of infants or children does not mean making them immune from disease, but if they are exposed to the disease, the symptoms that they experience will not be severe and life-threatening. Therefore, immunization is very important," he remarked.
He affirmed that Kemenko PMK has continued to remind all parties regarding the importance of the 2022 BIAN as it needs joint efforts in order to run optimally.
"The goal is to increase the coverage of basic immunization and health protection for children in the country," he said.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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