Government rolls out measles immunisation drive across 102 districts ahead of Eid holiday
The Indonesian Ministry of Health is accelerating the implementation of measles-rubella (MR) immunisation across various districts ahead of the year-end holiday and Eid travel period. This measure is being undertaken to prevent measles transmission, which has the potential to increase with higher population mobility and gathering activities during the extended holiday.
The Ministry of Health has announced that the catch-up immunisation programme will be rolled out across 102 districts and cities, targeting children aged 9-59 months throughout March 2026. The programme is being conducted through Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI) and Catch Up Campaign initiatives to strengthen child protection against measles transmission.
Acting Director-General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Dr Andi Saguni, stated that accelerated immunisation is an important step to prevent broader transmission, particularly ahead of the Eid holiday travel season. “Suspected measles cases showed an upward trend in January and began declining throughout February 2026. By week 8 of this year, more than ten thousand suspected measles cases have been recorded. The government continues to take rapid response measures to prevent wider transmission,” Dr Saguni said.
According to Ministry of Health data, as of week 8 of 2026, there have been 10,453 suspected measles cases, with 8,372 confirmed cases and six deaths. Additionally, there have been 45 extraordinary health events (KLB) involving measles occurring in 29 districts and cities across 11 provinces.
Provinces reporting measles outbreaks include North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi.
Despite the downward trend in cases during February, the government remains vigilant as the surge in population mobility during Eid has the potential to accelerate the transmission of infectious diseases. “As the Eid holiday approaches, population mobility will increase and the potential for gatherings will be greater. Therefore, the public needs to remain cautious about measles transmission, particularly among children who have not yet received complete immunisation,” said Saguni.
Immunisation services are not only being conducted at healthcare facilities but are also being expanded through various service points to reach more children. Immunisation services are being provided at health centres, community health posts, educational facilities such as early childhood education centres and kindergartens, places of worship, and holiday travel service posts.
The Ministry of Health is encouraging parents to ensure their children’s immunisation status is complete before undertaking holiday travel. “We are urging parents to check their children’s immunisation status immediately and complete it if incomplete. Immunisation is the most effective protection to prevent children from contracting measles,” he said.
In addition to immunisation, the public is being advised to adopt clean and healthy living practices such as washing hands with soap, practising cough etiquette, and wearing masks when in crowded areas.
The Ministry of Health is also preparing measles vaccine (MR vaccine) services at Eid holiday checkpoints in 2026, particularly at airports and ports, in anticipation of a surge in cases.
The Ministry of Health emphasises that measles is a highly contagious disease. Measles can also cause complications leading to death if not detected early. Immunisation can prevent it.