Measles Cases Exceed 8,372, Health Minister Warns of Vaccine Misinformation Dangers
Jakarta — The Ministry of Health has warned the public to increase vigilance against measles transmission ahead of the Lebaran exodus and holiday period. Increased public mobility poses a risk of spreading infectious disease, particularly among children who have not received complete immunisation.
By week eight of 2026, 10,453 suspected measles cases have been recorded, with 8,372 confirmed cases and six deaths. Additionally, there have been 45 measles outbreaks across 29 districts in 11 provinces: North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta Special Province, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin highlighted the dangers of negative narratives regarding vaccines amid the rising number of measles cases. He stressed that immunisation is the most effective way to protect children from the disease.
“There have been dozens of deaths from measles because children were not immunised. Yet the vaccine already exists and is effective,” Budi said at the Ministry of Health in Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026.
He urged the public not to easily believe misleading information about vaccines. According to him, the spread of misinformation could endanger the safety of children.
“This is a programme that saves the lives of our children. Please do not spread news that discourages mothers from vaccinating,” Budi said.
The Health Ministry also reminded that measles is a disease with very high transmission rates. Children who are infected should refrain from activities outside the home to avoid spreading the virus to others.
Dr Andi Saguni, Acting Director General of Disease Control at the Health Ministry, said that the trend of measles cases increased in January 2026 but began to show decline throughout February.
“The trend of suspected measles cases increased in January and began declining throughout February 2026. By week eight of this year, more than ten thousand suspected measles cases have been recorded. The government continues to respond quickly to prevent wider transmission,” Dr Andi said in a recent press conference.
Nonetheless, the public is urged to remain vigilant ahead of the Lebaran holiday, as Lebaran exodus activities and crowding can accelerate disease transmission.
“Ahead of the Lebaran exodus, public mobility will increase and the potential for crowding is greater. For this reason, the public needs to remain alert to measles transmission, particularly among children who have not received complete immunisation,” he added.
As a control measure, the government is accelerating the implementation of Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI) and catch-up immunisation campaigns for measles-rubella (MR) in affected and at-risk areas. This programme is being implemented across 102 districts with a primary target of children aged 9-59 months during March 2026.
Immunisation services will be provided through various service points including health centres, community health posts, early childhood education centres and kindergartens, places of worship, and health service posts during the exodus. The Health Ministry is urging parents to immediately check their children’s immunisation status and complete it if incomplete. A minimum immunisation coverage of 95% is required to establish herd immunity and prevent measles transmission in the community.