MPR Deputy: Basic Vaccination is the Foundation for Every Child's Growth and Development

Deputy Chair of the MPR RI, Lestari Moerdijat, considers building strong collaboration between the government, healthcare workers, society, and the media to be important. This aims to increase public trust regarding the importance of basic vaccination for the growth and development of every child of the nation. “Basic vaccination is the foundation for the growth and development of every child, which determines the direction of the nation’s future. Therefore, efforts to increase public trust in basic vaccination must be carried out consistently,” said Lestari Moerdijat in her statement on Friday (24/4/2026). The Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) estimates that by April 2026, more than 2 million children in Indonesia have not received basic immunisation or are zero dose. This condition puts Indonesia in a vulnerable position for Extraordinary Events (KLB). One case in certain situations has the potential to trigger widespread transmission, especially in unprotected communities. Lestari acknowledges that the prevalence of misinformation often linked to issues of vaccine safety and halal status makes the public hesitant towards the government’s immunisation programme. “That efforts to build communication networks down to the grassroots level are very important so that society understands the importance of basic vaccination for their children’s growth and development in the future,” she explained. In addition, the expansion of immunisation service coverage must also be carried out consistently so that society, whose understanding has already been built, does not have difficulty accessing basic vaccination. “I hope that with strong collaboration from all parties, immunisation coverage in Indonesia can continue to increase. Thus, strong group immunity is built as the foundation for realising a healthy and competitive next generation of the nation in the future,” she concluded.