Health Ministry Prioritises Measles Vaccine for Healthcare Workers in 14 High-Case Regions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) states that it is prioritising measles vaccination for 39,212 medical personnel and 223,150 healthcare workers (nakes) in 14 regions with the highest measles cases, as an effort to protect vulnerable adults from measles.

“This also includes an additional 28,321 general practitioners and dentists who are currently interning across Indonesia,” said Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices at Kemenkes, Lucia Rizka Andalusia, in Jakarta on Wednesday.

She mentioned that measles vaccination is mandatory for children with a three-dose mechanism: at 9 months, 18 months, and a booster in first grade of primary school.

However, with the extraordinary event (KLB), her side is conducting Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI) in regions with high cases or those experiencing an extraordinary event (KLB).

Therefore, she appreciates the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) for granting permission for the expanded indication of Bio Farma’s measles vaccine for adults. As a follow-up, her side will soon carry out the vaccination.

“Currently, the availability of MR vaccine used for the government programme is around 9.8 million doses across Indonesia. The availability rate, if measured, is about 5.5 months,” she said.

Kemenkes will also coordinate with local governments to implement the vaccination, especially for healthcare workers.

On that occasion, she reminded that if children receive the measles vaccine from the start, they should have adequate lifelong protection. However, some still miss their vaccinations.

Therefore, she urged parents and guardians to promptly complete their children’s immunisation status and not wait until the child falls ill.