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View all search resultsGovt kicks off measles vaccination for healthcare workers amid outbreak
Indonesia has been grappling with a measles outbreak since last year, driven by a decline in childhood immunization.
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An alarming global surge in measles cases poses a serious threat to children and more efforts are needed to improve vaccine coverage, according to the UN Children's Fund. (Shutterstock/Jarun Ontakrai)
T
he Health Ministry has launched a nationwide measles vaccination campaign for healthcare workers after an intern doctor died from the highly contagious disease.
Andi Saguni, the ministry’s acting director for disease prevention and control, said the campaign would be carried out in 14 provinces with the highest measles caseloads.
“The program targets more than 290,000 doctors and other medical personnel in the 14 provinces. 565 healthcare workers have been vaccinated so far and we are ensuring the process continues until the entire target is reached,” he said in a recent press briefing.
Andi said the vaccine would be administered only to healthcare workers who have not been vaccinated against measles or have incomplete doses.
Health authorities said the drive aims to boost protection among frontline workers, who face a higher risk of exposure, and to reduce transmission in healthcare facilities.
Zainal Safri, director of Adam Malik Hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, welcomed the initiative, saying adult vaccination was needed as immunity from childhood measles shots may have waned.
“The measure is expected to help curb measles transmission among adults and ensure healthcare workers remain protected while on duty,” he said.
