Free measles vaccination to protect children during Eid holidays

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Dr Elsa Hufaidah, director of the Central Vaccination House, said the facility’s free measles vaccine programme ahead of the Eid holidays and peak travel season has received a strong response from local residents as an effort to prevent the highly contagious measles disease in young children.

“We’re approaching Eid soon, and people will definitely be travelling and gathering with many people. For contagious diseases like measles, this is a particular concern because measles is highly contagious,” Elsa said when met by media at the Vaccination House clinic in Jakarta on Thursday.

Elsa noted that as Eid approaches, mobility will inevitably increase and young children will come into contact with many people. To prevent measles transmission, Elsa urged parents to complete their children’s measles vaccinations and other vaccines that can be given before travelling.

“Measles can lead to serious complications. Severe measles can result in pneumonia, encephalitis, and chronic diarrhoea. While mild measles might only cause fever and rashes, which may not seem serious, when complications occur, it’s heartbreaking to see a child suffer from such illness,” she said.

She also reassured parents not to hesitate about vaccinating their children over fears of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), which are actually far milder than the disease itself.

She reminded parents that all children are at risk of measles, and if combined with poor nutrition, low immunity, and delayed vaccination, measles transmission will significantly increase the severity of infection.