Healthcare Workers to Receive Measles Vaccination to Protect Themselves
The Ministry of Health will undertake efforts to protect healthcare workers and medical personnel, who are included in the group vulnerable to measles. One method is to provide vaccination for that group.
“Is there a vaccination plan? Yes, that’s correct, we are heading in that direction. And quickly, we are also preparing an analysis of the vaccine trials, clinical trials, related to the current vaccination programme,” said Acting Director General of Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, Andi Saguni, on Monday (30/3/2026).
He mentioned that, according to Ministry of Health data, 8% of measles cases occur in adults, although the majority occur in toddlers. “And of the 10 deaths in 2026, there is 1 case in a 25-year-old adult. And then generally in toddlers. But there are cases in children but aged 14 years. That is not included as adult,” he said.
Andi explained that actually, if one has received measles and rubella immunisation twice, namely at 18 months and in the first year of primary school, then protection is already optimal. However, he said, in adults, there are other conditions that can affect it, for example weak immunity, HIV/AIDS sufferers, or those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and hypertension.
“And of course, the intensity of exposure to measles. Especially for healthcare workers, that also becomes a risk factor,” he said.
He mentioned that besides surveillance and vaccination, they have recently issued a Circular as an effort to protect healthcare workers and medical personnel from measles.
He also explained about the follow-up from their side in the form of epidemiological investigation, responding to the death of a 25-year-old healthcare worker in Cianjur, West Java, due to measles. “He examined a measles case on the 8th, then 19th and 21st. He was an emergency department doctor at Pagelaran Regional General Hospital. We can see here he was on duty for two consecutive days on the 15th-16th,” he said.
On 18 March, the deceased complained of fever, flu, and cough, then requested leave from work, and was permitted. However, Andi said, the deceased still came to work for three consecutive days, handling suspected measles cases before finally applying for leave because his condition was increasingly weakening.
“On 25th at 23:00 WIB, the case entered the emergency department of Cimacan Hospital, brought by his family with complaints of decreased consciousness,” he said.
He mentioned that there was a deterioration and intubation was performed. Finally, the healthcare worker died with a final diagnosis of measles and heart and brain disorders.
In general, he said, measles cases in Cianjur are lower compared to the 10 highest regions, with a total of 25 suspected cases and 9 confirmed cases, and no new cases in week 12.