(Jakarta, 24th) Nurchadi, a member of Indonesia's Ninth Parliamentary Committee, has urged the government to accelerate and evenly advance nationwide immunization coverage in order to address the serious rise in measles cases. Currently, Indonesia ranks second in the world for reported measles outbreaks, drawing widespread concern.
Nurchadi pointed out that speeding up measles vaccination must be set as a top priority, especially in regions with low coverage rates, to prevent further spread of the epidemic. He emphasized that the 95% immunization coverage rate is not just an administrative figure but is a critical threshold for establishing herd immunity.
"If some regions have insufficient vaccination rates, outbreaks can occur there, and children are the most vulnerable group," he said.
He noted that measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, and the current rise in cases reflects that nationwide immunization coverage has not yet reached the minimum 95% standard in all districts and cities.
Nurchadi also stated that accelerating vaccination efforts must be accompanied by comprehensive evaluation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, routine immunization services were disrupted, coverage rates dropped, and have yet to fully recover. In addition, insufficient healthcare resources in remote and archipelagic regions as well as the spread of misinformation about vaccines have also impacted vaccination efforts.
He said that Parliament will push the Ministry of Health to accelerate the national immunization program, strengthen epidemic monitoring systems, and ensure a rapid response to potential outbreaks.
"We will also ensure a more balanced distribution of vaccines and deployment of medical personnel. The 95% target must not only be met at the national level but must also be implemented in each and every district and city," he said.
He emphasized that coordination between central and local governments needs to be strengthened, as the success or failure of the immunization program largely depends on the execution at the local level.
Nurchadi pointed out that accelerating immunization not only affects international rankings but also demonstrates the country's commitment to protecting the health and future of children.
Highly Contagious Disease
Measles, also known as rubella-like measles, is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus—not an ordinary rash, but a potentially deadly serious illness, particularly threatening to infants and children.
The virus is spread through droplets produced when a patient coughs, sneezes, or talks, and can survive in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after infection, and patients are contagious both four days before and four days after the rash appears.
Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth, followed by a red rash that spreads from the face and neck to the rest of the body, possibly accompanied by diarrhea, fatigue, and sore throat.
As of August 2025, 14 provinces and 42 districts and cities nationwide— including Jakarta and Tangerang—have reported outbreaks. A total of 23,128 suspected cases have been reported nationwide, 3,444 of which have been confirmed.
The main reason for the surge in cases is a decline in immunization coverage, particularly due to incomplete basic immunization and low rates for the second dose of the measles-rubella vaccine.
The government therefore urges parents to promptly complete the measles-rubella vaccination for their children, with the first dose given at 9 months of age and the second dose administered between 15 and 18 months.
"If some regions have insufficient vaccination rates, outbreaks can occur there, and children are the most vulnerable group," he said.
He noted that measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, and the current rise in cases reflects that nationwide immunization coverage has not yet reached the minimum 95% standard in all districts and cities.
Nurchadi also stated that accelerating vaccination efforts must be accompanied by comprehensive evaluation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, routine immunization services were disrupted, coverage rates dropped, and have yet to fully recover. In addition, insufficient healthcare resources in remote and archipelagic regions as well as the spread of misinformation about vaccines have also impacted vaccination efforts.
He said that Parliament will push the Ministry of Health to accelerate the national immunization program, strengthen epidemic monitoring systems, and ensure a rapid response to potential outbreaks.
"We will also ensure a more balanced distribution of vaccines and deployment of medical personnel. The 95% target must not only be met at the national level but must also be implemented in each and every district and city," he said.
He emphasized that coordination between central and local governments needs to be strengthened, as the success or failure of the immunization program largely depends on the execution at the local level.
Nurchadi pointed out that accelerating immunization not only affects international rankings but also demonstrates the country's commitment to protecting the health and future of children.
Highly Contagious Disease
Measles, also known as rubella-like measles, is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus—not an ordinary rash, but a potentially deadly serious illness, particularly threatening to infants and children.
The virus is spread through droplets produced when a patient coughs, sneezes, or talks, and can survive in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after infection, and patients are contagious both four days before and four days after the rash appears.
Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth, followed by a red rash that spreads from the face and neck to the rest of the body, possibly accompanied by diarrhea, fatigue, and sore throat.
As of August 2025, 14 provinces and 42 districts and cities nationwide— including Jakarta and Tangerang—have reported outbreaks. A total of 23,128 suspected cases have been reported nationwide, 3,444 of which have been confirmed.
The main reason for the surge in cases is a decline in immunization coverage, particularly due to incomplete basic immunization and low rates for the second dose of the measles-rubella vaccine.
The government therefore urges parents to promptly complete the measles-rubella vaccination for their children, with the first dose given at 9 months of age and the second dose administered between 15 and 18 months.