Health Ministry: Measles cases drop to 511 by week 9 thanks to immunisation drive
Jakarta — The Ministry of Health has reported that measles cases in Indonesia declined to 511 cases in week 9 of 2026, down from 531 cases previously, owing to immunisation drives and widespread education on hygiene and healthy living implemented across multiple regions.
“This represents a decline, and the immunisation response—including Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI)—has been carried out in all districts and cities experiencing outbreaks. Additionally, catch-up immunisation campaigns have been conducted in areas without outbreaks but experiencing rising case numbers,” said Acting Director-General of Disease Control at the Health Ministry, Andi Saguni, speaking in Jakarta on Friday.
He noted that measles is highly transmissible, with one infected person capable of transmitting the disease to 12-18 other people, particularly young children, though some cases have occurred in adults.
“Measles immunisation requires two doses as the standard regimen—administered at 9 months and 18 months of age. After the first dose at 9 months, immunity protection reaches approximately 80 per cent. However, following the second dose at 18 months, this increases to 97 per cent,” he explained.
To prevent transmission, the ministry is collaborating with district and city health authorities and quarantine health centres at various transit points during the return-home season to provide measles immunisation services, along with free health check-ups.
Saguri urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s condition before travelling during the Eid holiday season this year. “If there is fever, cough, runny nose, or other signs such as conjunctivitis pointing towards measles, seek immediate medical examination at a health facility,” he said.
He further recommended postponing travel until the child has recovered, given measles’s high transmission rate.
Earlier, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated the ministry was targeting 95 per cent measles immunisation coverage within 1-2 weeks before Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah (Eid 2026).
“We are one week in now. I can see the penetration is good. I do not yet have the exact figures, but we are pursuing this target before Eid if possible,” said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March.
The Health Minister noted that immunisation has already been rolled out across 50 districts and cities. The pre-Eid target is critical, he added, because mass population movement during the holiday period creates significant disease transmission risks.