{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1659508,
        "msgid": "epidemiologist-boost-vaccination-coverage-to-control-measles-1775620390",
        "date": "2026-04-06 20:54:00",
        "title": "Epidemiologist: Boost Vaccination Coverage to Control Measles",
        "author": "indrastuti",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesian epidemiologists are urging a significant increase in vaccination coverage to combat the spread of measles, which remains highly contagious and risks causing extraordinary incidents if immunity gaps persist. With 804 suspected cases reported in the first 12 weeks of the year, including interventions in 102 districts and provinces like East Java optimising catch-up campaigns, experts stress the need for consistent routine immunisation, education to counter misinformation, and remapping of unvaccinated children to achieve herd immunity and prevent severe complications. This public health push is vital amid declining coverage and calls from lawmakers for increased funding to address rising outbreaks projected into 2026.",
        "content": "<p>Epidemiology experts emphasise the importance of strengthening\nvaccination coverage as the primary strategy to control the spread of\nmeasles in Indonesia. Increasing coverage of basic and follow-up\nimmunisation is deemed urgent to create herd immunity capable of\nbreaking the chain of transmission. This step is crucial given that\nmeasles is a highly contagious disease with the potential to trigger\nExtraordinary Events (KLB) if immunity gaps exist in the community.\nEpidemiologists warn that even a small decline in vaccination coverage\ncan significantly impact the emergence of new case clusters. \u201cControl\nefforts cannot be limited to times of case surges but must be through\nconsistent and equitable routine immunisation strengthening across all\nregions,\u201d stated Ismen Mukhtar, Chairman of the Indonesian Epidemiology\nExperts Association (PAEI) Lampung, in his remarks on public health\nstrategies. In addition to pursuing quantitative targets, the quality of\nvaccine distribution and education for parents are also determining\nfactors. Challenges such as disinformation about vaccination remain an\nobstacle in some areas, necessitating a persuasive approach from\ngrassroots-level health workers. To date, data on regions with the\nlowest vaccination coverage is being validated by relevant parties to\ndetermine intervention priorities. Local governments are expected to\npromptly remap toddlers who have not received complete doses to minimise\nthe risk of fatalities due to measles complications. The Ministry of\nHealth states that there are 102 districts\/cities implementing measles\ninterventions through Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI). Entering the\n12th week of this year, 804 indicative measles cases have been recorded,\nwith 4 of them being suspects. The East Java Provincial Government is\noptimising measles catch-up immunisation coverage (Catch Up\nCampaign\/CUC) as a preventive measure against transmission. IPB\nUniversity lecturer from the Faculty of Public Health, dr Aisyah Amanda\nHanif, describes the surge in measles cases as a signal of declining\nherd immunity. Misleading narratives on social media are one of the main\ntriggers for parents\u2019 reluctance to vaccinate their children.\nVaccinologist and internist, as well as Chief Medical Advisor of Imuni,\ndr. Dirga Sakti Rambe, states that vaccines are not exclusively for\nchildren. Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of\nRepresentatives, Vita Ervina, urges an increase in the immunisation\nbudget following the rise in measles KLB at the start of 2026. The\nrecovery rate from measles heavily depends on the patient\u2019s immune\ncondition. Doctors remind that measles can trigger serious complications\nin vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and those with weakened\nimmunity, with vaccination being the primary prevention.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/epidemiologist-boost-vaccination-coverage-to-control-measles-1775620390",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}