"We are resolute in completing immunization to safeguard Papua from the threat of polio,"
Sorong (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadji Effendy participated in the polio vaccination of pupils of YPK I Syalom Elementary School in Sorong, Southwest Papua, to support the National Immunization Week (PIN).

"This immunization is meant to protect children from polio. We pay a visit to this school to ensure that the immunization runs well and smoothly," he remarked on Monday.

According to Effendy, the polio vaccination rate among children in Indonesia's Papua region, including Southwest Papua Province, still needs to be boosted.

"Some kids in several districts are still struggling with the polio disease, which should not be allowed to happen," he emphasized.

On the occasion, the minister also met with leaders of local sub-districts and public health centers and representatives of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) to discuss ways to accelerate PIN implementation in Papua, particularly Southwest Papua.

"We are resolute in completing immunization to safeguard Papua from the threat of polio," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, PMK Coordinating Ministry's Assistant Deputy for Disease Control and Mitigation, Nancy Dian Anggraeni, highlighted that 80 percent of the targeted children in Sorong City had received the first dose of the vaccine, while 53 percent of them had been vaccinated twice.

She underlined that her office and the Ministry of Home Affairs had been rolling out regular evaluations involving local leaders to expedite the implementation of PIN in Papua since July this year.

The official, however, noted that the overall rate of PIN implementation among the six provinces of Papua remains very low.

"The provision of the first dose has only progressed to 54.7 percent in six provinces, while the second phase of the PIN has only reached 38.1 percent (of the targeted children)," she pointed out.

She attributed the unfavorable trend to some parents' hesitation to vaccinate their children.


Translator: Yuvensius L, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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