IDAI Chair Highlights Low Child Immunisation Coverage in Indonesia

The Chair of the Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) has sharply criticised the state of child immunisation coverage in Indonesia, which is still considered to have not reached its optimal target. The low immunisation participation rate is feared to potentially trigger the re-emergence of various Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (PD3I) across different regions. On various occasions, IDAI has stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic several years ago had a significant impact on the decline in routine immunisation rates. However, even though the situation has improved, the upward trend in coverage has yet to show satisfactory figures to establish herd immunity among children. The low coverage of complete basic immunisation serves as an alarm for the national health system. IDAI warns that a wide immunity gap could lead to Extraordinary Events (KLB) of diseases such as measles, rubella, and diphtheria. The Chair of IDAI consistently urges parents not to delay their children’s immunisation schedules. Immunisation is not merely a medical obligation, but a child’s right to obtain optimal health protection from an early age. To address this issue, IDAI is pushing for strengthened public education to counter disinformation or hoaxes related to vaccines. Furthermore, collaboration between the central government, regional authorities, and healthcare workers is necessary to actively seek out children who have missed their immunisation schedules. IDAI hopes that with serious attention from all levels of society, Indonesia can quickly close the immunity gap and protect future generations from the threat of dangerous diseases.