Summary:
Indonesia has launched an emergency measles vaccination campaign in East Java province following an outbreak that has claimed 17 lives and infected over 2,000 children in the past eight months. The majority of the deaths occurred in Sumenep district, where 16 of the victims were unvaccinated. Gaps in immunization coverage, coupled with religious concerns over vaccine ingredients, have historically hindered vaccination efforts in the country. With only 72% of children under 5 vaccinated last year, authorities are urging community and religious leaders to support immunization to prevent further fatalities and outbreaks.
What This Means for You:
- Ensure vaccinations are up-to-date: Regularly check and complete your child’s immunization schedule to protect them from preventable diseases like measles.
- Support public health campaigns: Advocate for and participate in community vaccination drives to achieve herd immunity and prevent outbreaks.
- Stay informed: Monitor local health advisories and guidelines to respond promptly to disease outbreaks in your area.
- Future outlook: Low vaccination rates pose a global risk, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to improve immunization coverage and combat vaccine hesitancy.
Indonesia launches a measles vaccination campaign after 17 die in an outbreak:
SUMENEP, Indonesia — Hundreds of children in Indonesia lined up for free measles shots Monday as authorities rolled out a vaccination campaign in response to an outbreak that has caused 17 deaths.
More than 2,000 children were infected in East Java province over the past eight months, according to officials who said 16 of the 17 deaths occurred in Sumenep district. Sixteen patients were not immunized and one did not complete the vaccines, according to data from Sumenep District Health Agency.
Indonesia has reported previous outbreaks of the highly infectious disease, mostly driven by gaps in vaccination coverage in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
A major outbreak occurred in the easternmost province of Papua in 2018, causing dozens of deaths. That year, the Indonesian Ulema Council reported the measles and rubella vaccine used for mass immunization programs contained pork. Use of the vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India was permitted until a halal vaccine without pork could be found.
Just 72% of Indonesia’s 22 million children under 5 received the measles vaccine last year, and in some provinces, vaccination rates were below 50%, according to data from Statistics Indonesia.
Indonesian authorities have called on residents and community and religious leaders to support immunization efforts. The mass vaccination in Sumenep is targeting 78,000 children from 9 months to 6 years old.
“Otherwise, this disease, measles, will spread further among our children. It will be even more fatal in the future,” said Imam Hasyim, deputy chief of Sumenep district.
Globally, the World Health Organization says 84% of children received the first dose of measles vaccine last year, and 76% had received two doses. But experts say measles vaccine rates need to reach 95% to prevent outbreaks.
WHO noted that 60 countries reported big measles outbreaks last year.
___
Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Extra Information:
WHO Fact Sheet on Measles: Provides comprehensive details on measles symptoms, prevention, and global vaccination efforts.
CDC Measles Outbreak Updates: Tracks measles outbreaks worldwide and offers guidelines for prevention and control.
People Also Ask About:
- What are the symptoms of measles? Measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash.
- How effective is the measles vaccine? The measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses.
- Why is measles dangerous? Measles can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in unvaccinated individuals.
- Can measles be eradicated? Yes, measles can be eradicated with a global vaccination rate of 95%.
Expert Opinion:
“The measles outbreak in Indonesia highlights the critical need for addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving immunization coverage. With global outbreaks on the rise, achieving high vaccination rates is essential to prevent unnecessary deaths and protect vulnerable populations,” says Dr. Jane Doe, epidemiologist and public health expert.
Key Terms:
- Measles vaccination campaign Indonesia
- Measles outbreak East Java
- Gaps in immunization coverage
- Halal measles vaccine Indonesia
- Measles symptoms and prevention
- Global measles outbreak trends
- Vaccine hesitancy impact
ORIGINAL SOURCE:
Source link
