Bengkulu Provincial Government Distributes 2,000 Doses of Rabies Vaccine

Bengkulu City (ANTARA) - The Bengkulu Provincial Government has distributed 2,000 doses of vaccine in the local area to prevent the spread of rabies. “The distribution is being carried out in stages, with priority given to high-risk areas,” said the Head of the Provincial Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Service, Abdul Hadi, in Bengkulu City on Wednesday. He stated that the 2,000 rabies vaccines are part of the central government’s allocation totalling 8,000 vaccines for Bengkulu Province. The vaccine distribution is being conducted gradually and adjusted to the needs of each region. With this vaccine distribution, he said, it is hoped that the risk of rabies spread can be reduced, particularly among transmitting animals such as dogs, cats, and monkeys, which are the main sources of transmission to humans. He mentioned that the number of vaccines from the central government marks the initial phase to reach the animal population in Bengkulu Province. To that end, his office will propose an additional allocation of rabies vaccines to the central government to ensure the vaccination programme runs more optimally. “We will continue to strive to increase the number of vaccines; proposals will be submitted again so that vaccination coverage can be broader and more even across all regions,” he said. Abdul stated that the distributed rabies vaccines are free to encourage active community participation in vaccinating pets. He urged the public who own pets to bring them to local animal health officers for vaccination. “The government targets more maximal rabies control, while also protecting the public from the threat of this dangerous disease,” he said. He added that in 2026, the Bengkulu Provincial Government has also allocated Rp100 million from the regional revenue and expenditure budget (APBD) for procuring around 5,000 additional doses of rabies vaccine. Meanwhile, the Bengkulu Provincial Government has also received an allocation of 19,500 doses of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine from the central government, which will be distributed to all regencies and cities according to needs and livestock populations. However, the Bengkulu Provincial Government prioritises areas prone to FMD cases, such as Seluma Regency, Mukomuko Regency, and Central Bengkulu Regency.