Doctors Urge Parents to Complete Measles Vaccination for Children Before Eid

As Eid approaches, members of the public typically undertake homecoming journeys and encounter large gatherings of people. This situation increases the risk of transmission of various communicable diseases, including measles, which is currently spreading.

Dr Elsa Hufaidah, Director of the Central Vaccination Centre, stated that measles is an extremely contagious disease. In a single case, a measles patient can transmit the disease to approximately eleven other people. For this reason, it is important for children to complete their measles vaccination as a protective measure.

“Parents must ensure their children, particularly infants and toddlers, receive complete measles vaccination before undertaking homecoming travel. Given the high mobility of the public during Eid, the potential for transmission is significantly greater,” said Dr Elsa in an interview in East Jakarta on Thursday, 12 February 2026.

According to Dr Elsa, many parents still consider measles vaccination not particularly important. However, this vaccine is crucial for protecting children from serious complications such as pneumonia, severe diarrhoea that triggers dehydration, ear infections that risk hearing impairment, and encephalitis.

“This measles vaccine is very important, because measles can result in serious complications. Severe measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, and persistent diarrhoea,” she said.