"Jakarta needs to accelerate (routine immunization) post-pandemic, which aims to protect children from diseases that can lead to death," Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono stated here on Saturday.
Speaking at the summit of the 2023 World Immunization Week at a shopping center in South Jakarta, he urged that through the commemoration week, an understanding can be provided that immunization is not only for children but also to protect their family members and the community.
He pointed out that the pandemic period had created barriers to people's access to immunization for children and health services for pregnant women in Jakarta.
At the summit event, themed "Let's protect ourselves, families, and the community with complete immunization," he said that parents were hesitant to bring their children to health facilities to get immunization due to the risks of being exposed to COVID-19.
The pandemic restrictions had made access to immunization services difficult, he added.
The global World Immunization Week, held every April 16-22 and this year themed "The Big Catch-Up," was initiated during the World Health Assembly (WHA) session in May 2012.
As of now, 180 countries have implemented the movement, along with technological developments in the health sector and the increasing number of various types of vaccines to fight diseases.
The types of vaccines that are part of the routine immunization program provided by the government included Hepatitis B, BCG, Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B, Measles, Rubella, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
The summit of the immunization week in Indonesia provided free health and immunization consultations with experts from the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) and COVID-19 vaccination services from a local health center.
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Translator: Siti N, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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