Health Department: Measles-Rubella Immunisation in Teluk Wondama Reaches 99 Percent
Wasior (ANTARA) - The Teluk Wondama District Health Department in West Papua stated that the implementation of measles-rubella immunisation in the area, as part of handling an extraordinary event (KLB), has reached 99 percent.
Acting Head of the Teluk Wondama Health Department, Dr Alberth Kapitarauw, in Wasior on Friday, said the achievement came after interventions by the West Papua Health Department team following the discovery of positive cases.
“Immunisation has reached 1,691 out of 1,703 toddlers aged 9-59 months who are the immunisation targets,” he said.
He explained that nine samples from 15 identified patients were sent to Makassar, South Sulawesi, for laboratory examination, with results showing six samples positive.
Based on those examination results, the district government then declared KLB status, referring to Ministry of Health Circular No. HK.02.02/C/1077/2026.
“The declaration of KLB status also refers to West Papua Health Department Circular No. 400.7.7.1/0400/DK-PB/IV/2026,” he stated.
According to him, the declaration of KLB status was immediately coordinated with the West Papua Health Department to carry out integrated handling measures in the affected areas, such as Wasior and Wondiboi Districts.
The provincial team, together with the district, moved quickly over nearly eight days to intensify health promotion and preventive measures focused on the affected health centre work areas.
“That intervention led to a downgrade of the area’s status from KLB to alert,” he said.
Alberth hopes that no new cases will emerge in the next six weeks, so the alert status does not need to be extended, and during the evaluation period, promotional and preventive efforts will continue.
“We continue to strive as much as possible to suppress measles-rubella cases,” he said.
Meanwhile, the West Papua Health Department Immunisation Programme Manager, Hendrik Marisan, added that the outbreak response immunisation (ORI) for measles-rubella was conducted from 21 to 30 April 2026.
There are two districts in West Papua that are priorities: Teluk Wondama and Fakfak, as part of the provincial government’s rapid response in tackling the measles-rubella KLB.
According to him, the immunisation coverage in Teluk Wondama reached 99 percent, with details for Wasior Health Centre at 99 percent or 1,450 out of 1,462 targets, and Wondiboi Health Centre at 100 percent or 241 targets.
This achievement exceeds the national minimum target of 95 percent and is the result of synergy among all health workers, local government, and community participation.
“Even though the target has been exceeded, immunisation services continue to reach targets that have not yet been served,” he said.