Health Minister stresses the importance of immunisation to tackle measles outbreaks

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin reminded of the importance of immunisation to face extraordinary events (KLB) measles in several regions, given the disease can cause deaths, especially among children.

“We have observed at the start of this year that many have been affected, so we must really suppress it quickly, otherwise it will spread everywhere. Especially with Eid al-Fitr approaching,” the Health Minister said after the signing of the Joint Decree (SKB) on Child Mental Health in Jakarta on Thursday.

“One of the most important instruments is immunisation,” the minister added.

He reminded that the measles vaccine has long been used and proven effective in reducing the spread of measles. Specifically, he highlighted the importance of parents protecting children by giving measles immunisation.

Not only that, there is a potential risk when children under five are infected with measles because it can be fatal.

“A reluctance to vaccinate means the child is not protected; they get infected and spread to others. So it should be remembered that immunisation is not only for the child himself, but also for the school environment, and his/her friends too,” he stated.

Earlier, data from the Ministry of Health showed that the number of suspected measles in 2025 stood at 63,769 suspects with 67 deaths. Meanwhile, the number of suspected measles in 2026 stood at 8,810 suspects with 5 deaths.

The same data show that around 67 per cent of confirmed measles cases did not have an immunisation history.

In 2025, measles outbreaks were reported in 87 regencies/cities. Whereas at the beginning of 2026, outbreaks occurred in 24 regencies/cities.

There are 10 regencies/cities that experienced measles outbreaks for two consecutive years, namely Medan City, Deli Serdang Regency, Padang City, Garut Regency, Sleman Regency, Jember Regency, Pamekasan Regency, Tangerang Regency, Tojo Una-Una Regency, and Makassar City.