Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI)\nemphasises that eradicating measles and polio in Indonesia requires an\nintensive, equitable, and consistently implemented immunisation\nprogramme.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is known as a re-emerging disease, meaning a disease that was\nonce controlled in a certain period. From historical records, infectious\ndiseases were indeed controlled due to the discovery of immunisation or\nvaccination. That cannot be denied,\u201d said the Chair of the IDAI Central\nBoard, Dr.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A, Subsp. Kardio (K), during\na media gathering in Jakarta on Monday.<\/p>\n
Piprim gave the example that polio has been better managed since the\n1960s with the development of a vaccine for the disease. Cases were\nsuppressed because vaccination was administered on a massive scale.<\/p>\n
According to him, given the current situation with a significant rise\nin cases in Indonesia, the government along with relevant stakeholders\nneeds to intensify vaccination efforts even more and tighten supervision\nof administrative reports, so that cases can be fully detected and do\nnot cause discrepancies in reality.<\/p>\n
The same issue applies to measles vaccination coverage, which is now\nobserved to be declining. Previously, the infectious disease was quite\nwell managed.<\/p>\n
He reminded that measles is one of the diseases with a very high\ntransmission rate, where its basic reproduction number (R0) reaches 12\nto 18. Therefore, herd immunity is urgently needed as soon as\npossible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen an Extraordinary Event (KLB) emerges, it means immunisation\ncoverage has dropped. The more transmissible a disease like measles, the\nimmunisation coverage must be above 95 percent to achieve herd\nimmunity,\u201d said Piprim.<\/p>\n
Another challenge that needs to be addressed by the government,\nincluding IDAI, is increasing public education on measles, polio, and\nthe benefits of vaccines. This is because anti-vaccine sentiments are\nnow proliferating on social media.<\/p>\n
This includes parties uploading distressing news and inciting the\npublic to doubt government policies.<\/p>\n
He suggested that the government also strengthen the role of posyandu\ncentres and their cadres by providing adequate facilities and\nincentives.<\/p>\n
\u201cHealth centres are now tending towards curative care, busy with\nreports. The implementation of promotive-preventive efforts\nthemselves\u2014this I think is the time to make it a wake-up call,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
On that occasion, Piprim emphasised the importance of collaboration\namong all parties and support from the community to protect the nation\u2019s\nchildren from various infectious diseases that could reduce their\nquality of life in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, let\u2019s all focus on promotive-preventive measures. So that\nno more children die from measles. If primary services are good,\ninsha\u2019Allah it will be detected early. I think this is a major homework\nfor all of us,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/idai-eradicating-measles-and-polio-requires-widespread-immunisation-1776077484", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }