Healthy Homecoming with Children 2026: IDAI Vaccination and Safety Guidelines
As the 2026 Lebaran homecoming period and extended holidays approach, the Indonesian Paediatricians Association (IDAI) has issued several important recommendations for parents. These guidelines are designed to ensure that travelling with children remains safe, healthy, and enjoyable amid high public mobility.
IDAI’s primary focus this year encompasses two major pillars: preventing communicable diseases through vaccination and implementing strict road safety standards to prevent child injuries.
The Chair of IDAI’s Central Board, Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, warned that crowding during homecoming increases the risk of disease transmission such as measles, cough, and cold. Measles, in particular, has a very rapid transmission rate, even exceeding influenza.
“Vaccination is the strongest defence we can provide to children. The most crucial step before homecoming is ensuring your child’s immunisation is complete, especially the MR/MMR vaccine. Two-dose vaccination has proven to be the most effective way to prevent measles transmission,” said Dr Piprim on Sunday (15 March 2026).
Besides vaccination, IDAI recommends other preventive measures including maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding crowded places where possible.
According to IDAI Recommendation No. 11/PP IDAI/SR/IV/2023, traffic accidents remain the leading cause of child death globally. IDAI’s General Secretary, Hikari Ambara Sjakti, emphasised the importance of using safety equipment appropriate to the child’s age and weight.
IDAI strictly prohibits parents from holding children whilst driving due to fatal risks in collisions. Additionally, adolescents under 17 years old are prohibited from driving vehicles as they lack maturity and legal driving permits.
Facing unpredictable weather, IDAI advises parents to choose indoor destinations such as museums or educational science centres. This aims to protect children from risks of heavy rain, flooding, or extreme heat exposure in open areas.
Parents must also bring a family first aid kit containing essential medical supplies and medications.
With thorough health preparation and compliance with road safety standards, the 2026 Lebaran homecoming with family is expected to proceed smoothly without significant health issues.
Regarding measles cases, the South Sulawesi Health Department has noted a serious threat of measles spread in Makassar throughout 2026, with 187 suspected cases reported. The Ministry of Health stated that by week nine of 2026, measles cases in Indonesia had declined to 511 cases from the previous 531 cases. However, based on data from the Health Ministry through week eight of 2026, there were 10,453 suspected measles cases, with 8,372 confirmed cases and six deaths. IDAI reminds that the first vaccine is ideal at nine months of age and immunisation coverage must exceed 95 per cent to prevent outbreaks.
The Deputy Minister of Environment/Deputy Head of the Environmental Control Agency highlighted the potential surge in homecoming travellers during the 2026 Lebaran season. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) has confirmed service readiness for customers during the 2026 Lebaran transport period. Hutama Karya has implemented a 30 per cent toll tariff discount on the Trans Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) for the 2026 Lebaran homecoming. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has prohibited civil servants from using official vehicles for personal purposes during the national holiday and joint leave period for Nyepi and Lebaran homecoming 2026.