Indonesia Initiates Nationwide Measles Vaccination Drive Amid Rising Death Toll

In response to a recent measles outbreak that has resulted in the tragic death of 17 children, Indonesia has launched an extensive vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the disease's spread. The campaign commenced in East Java's Sumenep district, where over the past eight months, more than 2,000 children have been infected. The local health authorities organized mass immunization efforts, targeting approximately 78,000 children aged between 9 months and 6 years to prevent further transmission.

The outbreak has been predominantly affecting unvaccinated children, with data indicating that 16 of the 17 fatalities involved children who had not received immunization, while one did not complete the vaccination schedule. Officials emphasize the importance of high vaccination coverage, noting that in Indonesia, only 72% of children under five received the measles vaccine last year, falling short of the WHO's recommended 95% threshold to effectively prevent outbreaks.

Previous measles outbreaks in Indonesia, such as the one in Papua in 2018, have highlighted vulnerabilities in the vaccination program, partly due to concerns over vaccine content. Historically, some vaccines contained pork products, which conflicted with religious dietary laws, leading to hesitation among certain communities. Efforts are now underway to introduce halal-certified vaccines to address these concerns.

Health authorities are also engaging community and religious leaders to promote immunization and increase vaccine acceptance. The outbreak underscores the need to improve vaccination infrastructure and coverage across the nation, especially in provinces with traditionally low immunization rates. Globally, measles continues to pose a threat, with the WHO reporting major outbreaks in 60 countries last year, emphasizing the critical role of maintaining high vaccination rates for disease elimination.

Peter, a spokesperson for Indonesia's health ministry, stressed the urgency of the vaccination campaign, warning that if immunization coverage does not improve, measles could cause more fatal outbreaks in the future. The government remains committed to controlling the outbreak and protecting children from this highly contagious disease.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-indonesia-measles-vaccination-campaign-die.html