South Sumatra Health Office urges parents to complete their children's measles vaccination

Palembang, South Sumatra – The South Sumatra Provincial Health Office (Dinkes Sumsel) has urged parents in the region to complete measles vaccinations for children, in order to prevent more serious health impacts as reports of cases begin to surface. Head of the South Sumatra Health Office, Trisnawarman, in Palembang on Thursday, said measles vaccination is important for children aged nine months and older as an early protective measure against the easily spread disease. ‘Vaccinating against measles should not be missed for children aged nine months and over, because if a child contracts the disease without vaccination, the consequences can be more severe,’ he said. He explained that the disease’s typical manifestations include a high fever lasting several days and often a feverish illness similar to dengue fever, followed by a rash or red spots on the skin. Furthermore, the disease is highly contagious via the air, especially in environments with high interaction such as primary schools, which can lead to mass transmission. In addition, recent months’ measles cases are influenced by weather and the annual cycle of the disease. Therefore, vaccination is the primary protection for children; however, if a vaccinated child nonetheless contracts measles, their health condition generally will not be as severe compared with an unvaccinated child. The public is asked to immediately take children to health facilities if they experience high fever with a rash on the body so they can be treated promptly and help prevent wider transmission. ‘With vaccination, we protect children from a disease that can actually be prevented,’ said Trisnawarman.