Parliament Criticises Measles Surge Due to Low Vaccination Rates

Several members of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR) have voiced critical remarks regarding the handling of measles, with cases surging in early 2026. Deputy Chairman of Commission IX DPR, Muhammad Yahya Zaini, assessed that the widespread spread of measles in several regions was due to low complete basic vaccination coverage. The Golkar Party politician also highlighted the government’s delay in mitigation and monitoring. “As a result, its spread could not be controlled. Cases then increased sharply in several provinces,” Yahya said via text message on Wednesday, 1 April 2026. By March this year, the number of suspected measles sufferers reached 21,141 people, with 16,290 cases confirmed among them. The Ministry of Health also identified 85 extraordinary events occurring in 47 districts and cities across 14 provinces. One of them was Central Java. In the first week of 2026, there were 2,220 confirmed cases, and the number decreased to 146 cases in the 12th week. Commission IX DPR member Edy Wuryanto stated that this decline does not yet reflect a safe condition, as the basic immunisation target of 95 percent has not been achieved in recent years. The PDI Perjuangan politician assessed that the explosion of cases in January 2026 was a consequence of a weak immunisation system that failed to build herd immunity. Edy referred to data on measles-rubella vaccination coverage as of September 2022. That coverage showed that nationally, only 87.7 percent of children in Indonesia received immunisation. He mentioned that during the 2019–2021 period, around 1.7 million infants did not receive complete immunisation. “The recent increase in measles incidence is due to negligence in implementing the vaccination programme that did not meet targets,” Edy said via messaging app on Friday, 3 April 2026. Edy assessed that reactive handling after cases emerge, rather than active prevention in the field, is a crucial factor behind the spread of measles cases in various regions. He emphasised the importance of accelerating vaccination, especially for families and individuals in close contact with sufferers, to break the chain of transmission. The legislator from the Central Java III electoral district urged the central and regional governments to comprehensively improve measles handling. Such efforts should not only rely on the effectiveness of mass immunisation but also strengthen community-based prevention systems. This can be done by accelerating the recovery of basic immunisation coverage, strengthening the implementation of the school children immunisation month programme (BIAS), and improving early detection at primary health service facilities. Edy also recommended that the Ministry of Health enhance public education programmes to address doubts about vaccines. According to Edy, support from regional government budgets can also ensure that measles prevention programmes run effectively. “Measles handling must not be reactive and seasonal. There must be policy consistency and supervision. If not fixed now, the potential for similar incidents will continue to recur,” he said. Yahya Zaini called for the same, including urging the Ministry of Health to immediately prepare health workers, medicines, and special hospitals for measles sufferers. The declaration of an extraordinary event (KLB) status must also be carried out in areas where the spread is already uncontrollable. According to Yahya, Commission IX DPR has scheduled a working meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss measles handling. “On 20 April, Commission IX DPR will hold a meeting with the Ministry of Health, including discussing the measles issue,” he stated.