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New immunization program will not burden state budget: Ministry
The newly introduced routine, comprehensive immunization program is an expansion of the basic, comprehensive immunization program.
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Stay healthy: President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo kicks off the measles-rubella vaccination program in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Aug.1, 2017. (Antara/Andreas Fitri Atmoko)
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he Health Ministry’s disease prevention and control director general, Anung Sugihantono, said the newly introduced routine, comprehensive immunization program was an expansion of the basic, comprehensive immunization program, which had been running for a long time.
“Therefore, the program’s logistics supply activities and operational costs will be fully funded through our routine budget. As we know, supplying logistics for the immunization program is the responsibility of the Health Ministry, on behalf of the central government. Meanwhile, local administrations are responsible for covering the operational costs of the program,” Anung told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Based on Health Ministry Regulation No.12/2017, basic immunization is given to babies aged less than one year. Vaccines provided under the basic immunization program protect children against hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, pneumonia and meningitis caused by hemophilus influenza type B (Hib) and measles.
(Read also: Govt to strengthen campaign on routine, comprehensive immunization)
Anung said antibodies decline at certain ages and booster shots were given to children at certain ages in a follow-up program.
He said the government was introducing new vaccines as part of its effort to prevent diseases that could be prevented through immunization that had not been included in its immunization program.
“These new vaccines have been scientifically proven to be effective in reducing morbidity and mortality. They are also cost effective,” said Anung.
The new vaccines aim to prevent cervical cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), pneumonia in children (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) and diarrhea in children (Rotavirus vaccine), among others.
