Immunization program for pupils launched
JAKARTA (JP): Following its success in immunizing children under five, Indonesia began Friday the initial phase of a nationwide immunization program against diphtheria and tetanus for elementary schoolchildren.
Initiated jointly by the ministries of health, education and culture, religious affairs and home affairs, the campaign will target some 26 million primary schoolchildren throughout Indonesia over a two-year period.
The program was launched at state-run elementary school SDN 010 Pondok Kelapa, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. In his address, Minister of Health Sujudi said the vaccination would protect children from diphtheria and tetanus for 15 years and 25 years respectively.
Almost 80 percent of Indonesian children received basic diphtheria and tetanus toxoid immunization during infancy. However, they should receive boosters.
Diphtheria infects children under the age of 15, causing breathing difficulties that sometimes lead to death, while tetanus causes spasms and lockjaw and also often results in death.
Vaccinations, scheduled to be held in November each year, may only be administered by registered physicians and medical assistants.
This year, some 173,000 public as well as Islamic elementary schools in Jakarta and Bogor, West Java, will participate in the campaign.
The diphtheria vaccine will be given to first grade pupils and tetanus toxoid to first to third grade pupils.
Attending the launching ceremony were Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro and Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher.
Sujudi gave the first vaccination to seven-and-a-half-year-old Taufiq Ilman from SDN 010.
"It bit me a little," said Taufiq.
Tarmizi, who is also a physician, then injected Alvin Paricaga, six, from private elementary school SD Strada Dipamarga, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta.
Also present at the ceremony were representatives of World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, and the director of state-owned PT Biofarma that provides the vaccines. (09)