Ministry pushes measles vaccination for healthcare workers

The move is part of efforts to protect vulnerable adults amid ongoing outbreaks.

“In addition, there are 28,321 general practitioners and dentists currently undergoing internships across Indonesia,” Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Lucia Rizka Andalusia said on Wednesday.

Andalusia emphasized that measles vaccination is mandatory for children, administered in three stages: at nine months, 18 months, and a booster in the first grade of elementary school.

However, due to recent outbreaks, the ministry is implementing Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) in high-incidence areas.

“With these outbreaks, the risk of transmission to high-risk groups, especially healthcare workers who directly handle patients, becomes significant,” she noted.

The ministry also welcomed the Food and Drug Authority’s approval of Bio Farma’s measles vaccine for adult use.

“Currently, the availability of vaccines in the government program is around 9.8 million doses nationwide, sufficient for approximately 5.5 months,” Andalusia said.

To ensure smooth distribution, vaccine stocks are being monitored in real time through the Electronic Immunization and Logistics Monitoring System (SMILE), from provincial warehouses down to community health centers.

The ministry will coordinate with regional governments to roll out vaccinations, particularly for frontline healthcare workers.

Andalusia added that children who complete their measles immunization schedule early should have adequate lifelong protection.

Therefore, she urged parents and guardians to complete their children’s immunization schedules promptly rather than waiting until illness occurs.

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Translator: Mecca, Kenzu