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Health Ministry extends MR immunization period
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A student gets an anti-tetanus vaccine injection during a School Children Immunization Month (BIAS) event in Cot Mambong Nisam village, North Aceh, last year. (Antara/Rahmad)
The Health Ministry is extending the measles and rubella (MR) vaccine immunization period until Oct. 31.
Health Minister Nila Moeloek instructed governors in 28 provinces outside of Java to continue the program to vaccinate people.
"Hopefully, the extension can be used by the regional administration so that more people can be protected from measles and rubella," she said in a statement.
Read also: Jokowi campaigns for MR vaccine amid low coverage
According to the Indonesia Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (ITAGI), every region should reach the vaccine coverage rate of 95 percent in order to break the virus’ transmission chain.
Nationwide, the average MR vaccine coverage rate is 51.05 percent. Currently, West Papua has the highest coverage rate in the country with 91.83 percent, followed by Bali with 87.47 percent as of Monday evening.
Meanwhile, Aceh has the lowest coverage rate with 4.94 percent, followed by Riau on 26.70 percent and West Nusa Tenggara on 37.47 percent, among others.
Rubella, also known as German measles, is caused by the rubella virus and usually only lasts for about three days, but infections in pregnant women can lead to miscarriages or permanent deformities in babies.
Some Muslim parents are still reluctant to let their children receive the vaccine over concerns of its halal status after it was revealed that the vaccine used in the country contains enzymes from pigs, which are prohibited in Islam. (ris)
