Immunization program for pupils launched<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Following its success in immunizing children
\nunder five, Indonesia began Friday the initial phase of a
\nnationwide immunization program against diphtheria and tetanus
\nfor elementary schoolchildren.<\/p>\n
Initiated jointly by the ministries of health, education and
\nculture, religious affairs and home affairs, the campaign will
\ntarget some 26 million primary schoolchildren throughout
\nIndonesia over a two-year period.<\/p>\n
The program was launched at state-run elementary school SDN
\n010 Pondok Kelapa, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. In his address,
\nMinister of Health Sujudi said the vaccination would protect
\nchildren from diphtheria and tetanus for 15 years and 25 years
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
Almost 80 percent of Indonesian children received basic
\ndiphtheria and tetanus toxoid immunization during infancy.
\nHowever, they should receive boosters.<\/p>\n
Diphtheria infects children under the age of 15, causing
\nbreathing difficulties that sometimes lead to death, while
\ntetanus causes spasms and lockjaw and also often results in
\ndeath.<\/p>\n
Vaccinations, scheduled to be held in November each year, may
\nonly be administered by registered physicians and medical
\nassistants.<\/p>\n
This year, some 173,000 public as well as Islamic elementary
\nschools in Jakarta and Bogor, West Java, will participate in the
\ncampaign.<\/p>\n
The diphtheria vaccine will be given to first grade pupils and
\ntetanus toxoid to first to third grade pupils.<\/p>\n
Attending the launching ceremony were Minister of Education
\nand Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro and Minister of Religious
\nAffairs Tarmizi Taher.<\/p>\n
Sujudi gave the first vaccination to seven-and-a-half-year-old
\nTaufiq Ilman from SDN 010.<\/p>\n
\"It bit me a little,\" said Taufiq.<\/p>\n
Tarmizi, who is also a physician, then injected Alvin
\nParicaga, six, from private elementary school SD Strada
\nDipamarga, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Also present at the ceremony were representatives of World
\nHealth Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, and
\nthe director of state-owned PT Biofarma that provides the
\nvaccines. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/immunization-program-for-pupils-launched-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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