Ministry of Health strengthens education to combat hoaxes about measles immunisation
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) said it is coordinating with relevant parties to strengthen education and counter misinformation as part of efforts to increase measles immunisation coverage, in addition to implementing Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI) and Catch-Up Immunisation campaigns.
Kemenkes Public Communications and Information Bureau Head Aji Muhawarman said in Jakarta on Wednesday that vaccine hesitancy stems from widespread misinformation about immunisation circulating in the media, especially on social media. The decline in immunisation coverage has a significant impact on the rise of cases.
‘In 2025, a measles outbreak was reported in 87 districts/cities. By 2026, there were measles outbreaks in 24 districts/cities. Ten districts/cities experienced measles outbreaks for two consecutive years, namely Medan City, Deli Serdang Regency, Padang City, Garut Regency, Sleman Regency, Jember Regency, Pamekasan Regency, Tangerang Regency, Tojo Una-Una Regency, and Makassar City,’ he said.
The number of suspected measles cases in 2025 was 63,769, with 67 deaths. Meanwhile, the number of suspected measles cases in 2026 was 8,810, with 5 deaths.
High and evenly distributed immunisation coverage across regions is the key to preventing and interrupting transmission.
Furthermore, he said, parental awareness to seek care promptly at health facilities when a child shows measles symptoms also determines the speed of transmission.
He added that the immunisation to counter outbreaks operates through two main mechanisms: ORI and Catch-Up Immunisation Campaign. ORI will be conducted in all districts/cities experiencing measles outbreaks in 2026. Catch-Up Campaign will be carried out in districts/cities that experienced outbreaks in 2025 or where cases/suspects are rising. The activities will be implemented in March 2026.
He urged the public to collectively prevent measles spread by actively reporting and inspecting children with fever and rashes, and to obtain measles immunisation at posyandu (integrated health posts) or nearest health facilities so that children grow up healthy and are safeguarded from measles and other diseases.
‘We urge the public not to easily believe or spread information whose truth is unclear, especially news that opposes immunisation. Make sure information received comes from official sources such as the local Health Office and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia,’ Aji said.