Health experts are raising concerns after Indonesia’s Ministry of Health revealed that more than 836,000 children across the country have never received a single dose of routine immunization. According to the editorial report of pafikutaikab.org the figure highlights a significant gap in the nation’s child health protection efforts, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
According to Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, the majority of unvaccinated children live in rural and hard-to-reach areas where access to healthcare services remains limited. “Geographical challenges, low public awareness, and misinformation about vaccines are major barriers,” she said. “We are working to ensure that every Indonesian child gets their full immunization, no matter where they live.”
A Growing Concern After the Pandemic
Health authorities believe the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunization schedules, as many parents avoided healthcare facilities due to fear of infection. School closures and mobility restrictions also limited vaccination drives for infants and toddlers.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that Indonesia is among several countries in Southeast Asia struggling to restore immunization coverage to pre-pandemic levels. The current gap raises fears of disease resurgence, including measles, diphtheria, and polio — illnesses that were once close to being eliminated in the country.
“Even a small drop in immunization coverage can open the door to outbreaks,” said Dr. Arif Nugroho, a pediatric infectious disease specialist from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta. “These diseases spread quickly among unvaccinated populations, especially in communities where herd immunity has weakened.”
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Efforts to Catch Up
To close the gap, the Ministry of Health has launched a catch-up immunization campaign targeting children under the age of five. The program mobilizes health workers to visit schools, villages, and public health centers (puskesmas), ensuring that missed doses are administered.
The government is also collaborating with UNICEF and WHO to strengthen cold-chain systems, train local healthcare workers, and improve data monitoring. Mobile health units have been deployed to remote islands and mountainous regions where routine health services are difficult to access.
Community engagement plays a key role in these efforts. Local leaders, religious figures, and volunteers have been encouraged to promote vaccination awareness and counter misinformation circulating on social media. “Parents need to understand that vaccines are safe and vital for their children’s future,” Dr. Siti Nadia emphasized.
The Risk of Falling Behind
Indonesia’s immunization coverage goal is 95 percent, but the latest figures show that some provinces remain far below that threshold. Experts warn that without urgent action, the country could face preventable outbreaks similar to the measles and rubella cases reported in several districts last year.
“Immunization is one of the simplest and most cost-effective health interventions,” said Dr. Arif. “No child should die from a disease we already know how to prevent.”
As Indonesia pushes to recover from pandemic setbacks, health officials stress that public trust and consistent outreach will determine success. The message from experts is clear: closing the immunization gap is not just a medical goal — it’s a moral responsibility to protect the nation’s next generation.
Source: https://pafikutaikab.org/
