Chairperson of the Indonesia Pediatrician Association (IDAI) of West Java, Anggraini Alam, emphasized the importance of education and vector control as part of the National Dengue Control Strategy.
"The implementation of 3M Plus, and innovations such as Wolbachia and vaccinations, are important pillars to reduce the risk of recurrent dengue infections that have the potential to be more severe," Alam said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Similar with Alam, the Chairperson of the Coordinating Work Unit for Infections and Tropical Diseases of IDAI, Edi Hartoyo, said that the majority of dengue cases in Indonesia affect the 5 to 44 year age group, with the highest mortality in children aged 5-14 years old.
"This shows the importance of early protection, including dengue vaccinations," Hartoyo said.
He added that Indonesia recorded the highest burden of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in Asia due to dengue.
Therefore, according to Hartoyo, comprehensive preventive measures, including complete immunization according to dosage, are very important to reduce the severity and spread of infection.
Meanwhile, pediatrician consultant for infection and tropical diseases, Djatnika Setiabudi, explained that vaccines have been proven to reduce global mortality by 3.5 to 5 million people per year and are one of the important efforts in controlling diseases, including dengue.
ASEAN Dengue Day was first initiated on June 15, 2011, through the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting, as a regional recognition to strengthen collaboration in controlling dengue in Southeast Asia.
Since then, ASEAN member countries have routinely held campaign activities and public education to raise awareness and sustainable prevention efforts.
Dengue cases in Indonesia in 2024 reached 257,455 cases, with 1,461 deaths, the highest since 2016. Meanwhile, as of May 16, 2025, there were 56,269 cases with 250 deaths spread across 456 districts/cities in Indonesia.
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Translator: Ida Nurcahyani, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Primayanti
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