Ministry of Health Confirms MR Measles-Rubella Vaccine Is Safe, Has BPOM Marketing Authorisation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) confirms that the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine is safe for use by the public because it has obtained a distribution authorization from the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM).

Director-General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices at the MoH, Lucia Rizka Andalusia, said the vaccine has undergone a long process before being distributed for the national vaccination programme, particularly for measles.

“The vaccine that we will use has obtained a distribution approval from BPOM, where it has been stated that its efficacy and safety are guaranteed,” she said at an online press conference on Friday (6 March 2026).

Lucia noted that the selection of vaccines for the national immunisation programme is carried out through a study by the Ministry of Health together with the National Immunisation Committee. She explained that the adverse effects after measles vaccination are normal and only temporary. For the MR vaccine, side effects include mild pain at the injection site, mild fever, and rashes. “The adverse effects of this vaccine are generally very low and can disappear after around 24 hours,” she added.

She also emphasised that the vaccine meets the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification standards so it can be used widely in immunisation programmes. “WHO has confirmed that the vaccine has good efficacy and safety for use in millions of children around the world,” she said. “Information that the vaccine contains microchips or mass-destruction weapons is hoax and cannot be substantiated,” she added.

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