"All vaccines included in the National Immunization Program are safe. All vaccines have obtained distribution permits from the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM)," the ministry's Director of Immunization, Prima Yosephine, stated in a press conference on the handling of the extraordinary measles outbreak (KLB), in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Her statement is a response to those who are still hesitant to bring their children to receive immunizations, such as the measles immunization.
According to Yosephine, this fear has resulted in a decline in child immunization rates, including measles immunization rates, which have decreased over the past three years.
She explained that in 2022, the measles immunization rate, specifically the MR1 vaccine administered to 9-month-old children in Indonesia, reached 102.2 percent.
In the following years, the immunization rate declined to 95.4 percent in 2023, 92 percent in 2024, and 45.1 percent as of August 24, 2025.
She then emphasized that child immunization is vital to strengthening their immunity against various diseases, particularly measles.
Measles is a contagious respiratory infection characterized by a skin rash all over the body and flu-like symptoms caused by the rubella virus that can be prevented through immunization.
As of August 24, 2025, the ministry recorded 46 measles outbreaks in 42 districts/cities across 14 provinces, including Sumenep District.
Yosephine informed that as of August 24, 2025, there were a total of 2,139 suspected measles cases in the region, located on the eastern tip of Madura Island. Of these 2,000 suspected cases, there were 205 positive cases, with a death toll of 17.
Previously, she had urged all parents and caregivers to immediately take their children to the nearest health facility to receive measles immunization.
"We urge the entire community, especially parents and caregivers, to immediately take their children to the nearest health service facility that provides immunization services," she emphasized.
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Translator: Tri Meilani, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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