Deputy Health Minister: Bandung's strategy can be replicated to reduce Indonesia's zero-dose rate
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono stated that Bandung City’s strategy, focused on posyandu to reduce the number of children not receiving immunisation or zero-dose cases, can be replicated across Indonesia to address this issue.
Dante said in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday, that innovations to intensify immunisation are crucial, given that around 2.3 million children in Indonesia are still zero-dose. Indonesia has actually achieved an immunisation coverage of 80 per cent. However, the goal is herd immunity, so coverage needs to reach 90 per cent.
“Now, how many posyandu are there? 300,000 posyandu. This number is the same as the ATMs in Indonesia. If we rely on the 10,000 puskesmas, it won’t reach the remote areas. The posyandu are what can reach the farthest points,” he said.
He gave an example at Posyandu Tela 9, where the cadres have implemented several innovations, such as decorating the weighing area with toy car shapes, and giving rewards to those who bring rubbish from home.
“In the midst of these challenges, Bandung has come up with its innovations, and with a different story, through strengthening puskesmas and posyandu. With this strengthening, we are trying to ensure that this healthy Bandung practice does not stop here, but is continuously replicated throughout Indonesia,” he said.
For this dedication, the Health Ministry intends to provide support, such as calculating the costs that can be given to the cadres, and awarding exemplary posyandu on National Health Day.
Meanwhile, West Java has succeeded in reducing the number of zero-dose children in one year, from 102,000 children in 2024 to 67,000.
On the same occasion, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said that since 22 September 2025, he has been actively going to the field with posyandu to pursue and address the zero-dose child issues. His team is accompanied by the Regional Child Protection Commission on every visit, as it also addresses child issues at the neighbourhood level.
According to him, immunisation is the initial step to start a healthy and active life, especially for children. Immunisation has been proven to provide resilience so that our children grow into teenagers and adults who are highly productive.
“Therefore, before we talk about other things, such as further education, skills development, job opportunities, we start everything from immunisation,” said Farhan.