Health Minister Says Many Still Refuse Immunisation, Highlights Fathers' Role

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has disclosed that many Indonesians continue to refuse vaccination, particularly among adult men. The statement was made during a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission IX at the parliament complex in Senayan on Tuesday (23/6/2026).

According to him, vaccine acceptance rates across several community groups remain uneven, with significant resistance found among adult males. This poses a challenge for the government in expanding immunisation and vaccination coverage across various age groups.

“We have conducted a survey and the biggest reason children are not immunised is that their families do not permit it (47% according to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey). It is not only mothers, but many fathers who do not allow their children to be immunised,” Budi said during the working meeting.

He further stated that vaccine hesitancy is generally influenced by various factors, ranging from a lack of understanding about the benefits of vaccines, the widespread circulation of inaccurate information on social media, to fears of Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) and the belief that immunisation is unimportant.

Budi considers this situation requires attention, as vaccines not only protect the individual receiving the injection but also help prevent disease transmission within the family and community environment. Vaccines are also one of the most effective public health interventions in reducing mortality rates. The government, Budi said, continues to strive to improve public education on the importance of lifelong vaccination.

To this end, the Ministry of Health also plans to strengthen health campaigns by involving health workers, community leaders, and utilising digital platforms so that accurate information about vaccines can reach more people.