W. Java to vaccinate millions of toddlers against polio, measles

The West Java administration is targeting to vaccinate millions of toddlers in the province against polio and measles as part of National Immunization Week - Stage III, which was launched on Tuesday.

The immunization program is set to run across the country until Nov. 18.

“Three million toddlers [are expected] to receive measles vaccination, while 3.5 million will receive polio vaccination,” West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan said Tuesday in Bandung during a video conference with Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih.

“We launched the third measles and polio immunization program for West Java today. The aim of the program is to reduce the numbers of measles-prone areas and to ensure high levels of immunity,” Ahmad added, as quoted by Antara state news wire.

At least 95 percent of the population of West Java is already immune to measles and polio, he said.

“We hope this year we can make the figure approach 100 percent.”