Jakarta to Conduct Catch-Up Measles Immunisation Campaign in March
Jakarta (ANTARA) — The Jakarta Provincial Government is conducting a simultaneous catch-up immunisation campaign (IKS) for measles in March 2026 to reach groups of children, strengthen their immunity and prevent disease transmission.
“The 2026 IKS, particularly in March, will focus on children who have not received complete immunisation, specifically MR1 for children aged 9–59 months,” said Budi Setiawan, head of the Epidemiology Surveillance and Immunisation section at the Jakarta Health Office, during a measles prevention podcast in Jakarta on Thursday.
He guaranteed services at health facilities and community health centres, particularly for vaccination activities for healthy children or those showing symptoms.
“We hope that during the fasting month, approaching and following Eid al-Fitr, the spirit for the catch-up immunisation campaign this month remains strong,” he said.
The 2026 measles IKS is being conducted because measles cases are still being found and the immunisation status of children in Jakarta shows that some children have not been fully immunised.
Meanwhile, in early 2026, 1,236 suspected measles cases were recorded, which although down compared to 2025, remains higher than 2024.
Budi detailed that suspected measles cases have been found across all areas of Jakarta, with the highest cases in West Jakarta (398 cases), Central Jakarta (276 cases) and South Jakarta (226 cases).
Meanwhile, North Jakarta recorded 179 cases, East Jakarta 155 cases, and the Thousand Islands two cases.
“In 2026, suspected measles cases are spreading. All districts have children with sudden fever and red rashes. The spread was almost consistent until early 2026,” Budi said.
The districts with the most suspected cases are Tanah Abang, Tambora, Taman Sari, Cengkareng and Pesanggrahan.
The highest number of suspected measles cases are among children aged 1–4 years and under one year old, some of whom have not yet received immunisation.
However, data on measles immunisation coverage trends in the capital in 2025 for MR1 and MR2 showed they had exceeded targets, with 143,374 children (100.60 per cent) and 144,842 children (100.45 per cent) respectively. This indicates that most target children have received scheduled measles immunisation.
On the other hand, coverage of the School Children Immunisation Month (BIAS) targeting new grade 1 primary school children has only reached 89.6 per cent.
“Our challenge is that if there are children nearby experiencing fever and red rashes, inform them to come to health centres or hospitals, as Jakarta’s strength is accessibility and easy access to healthcare services,” Budi said.