Measles Alert Ahead of Lebaran Holiday as Health Ministry Accelerates Child Immunisation in High-Risk Areas
Measles Alert Ahead of Lebaran Holiday as Health Ministry Accelerates Child Immunisation in High-Risk Areas
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has urged the public to remain vigilant against measles transmission ahead of the homecoming travel period and Lebaran holidays. Increased mobility and potential crowding are seen as elevating the risk of contagious diseases, particularly for children who have not completed measles or MR vaccination.
Up to week 8 of 2026, there were 10,453 suspected measles cases, with 8,372 confirmed and 6 deaths. There were also 45 measles outbreaks in 29 districts/cities across 11 provinces: North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi.
Acting Director General of Disease Control Andi Saguni said that measles cases rose in January 2026 but began to decline through February. “The trend of suspected measles cases increased in January and started to fall throughout February 2026. By week 8 this year, more than ten thousand suspected cases have been recorded. The government continues to respond rapidly to prevent further transmission,” he said in a statement on Saturday (7 March).
Despite the downtrend, the public is asked to stay vigilant ahead of the Lebaran holidays due to higher mobility and gatherings increasing transmission risk, especially for children not fully immunised.
As a containment step, the Ministry of Health is accelerating Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI) and Catch-Up Campaigns for measles–rubella (MR) in affected and at-risk areas. The programme runs in 102 districts/cities with a primary target of children aged 9–59 months during March 2026. Immunisation is delivered through various service points to reach more children, including community health centres (Puskesmas), posyandu, educational facilities (PAUD and TK), places of worship, and mudik service posts.
We call on parents to check their children’s immunisation status and complete it if incomplete. Immunisation remains the most effective protection against measles.
In addition to immunisation, the public is urged to practise clean and healthy living (PHBS), such as handwashing with soap, cough etiquette, and wearing masks in crowded places. If a child shows measles symptoms or is unwell, they should not travel and should be taken to a health service facility promptly. Reducing contact with others is important to prevent broader transmission.
The Ministry of Health reiterates that successful measles control hinges on local government commitment, cross-sector support, and community participation to ensure at least 95 per cent vaccination coverage to establish herd immunity and prevent disease spread.