Don’t children get vaccinated? That’s the impact
In mid-2020, the World Health Organization and UNICEF released a statement that there has been a decrease in the number of children getting vaccinations, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government of the Republic of Indonesia also continues to ensure that children obtain the right to receive vaccinations. Healthcare workers all over Indonesia including DKI Jakarta are also always reminding parents to bring their children’s vaccinations according to schedule. Immunization is the most effective and efficient public health effort to prevent some dangerous infectious diseases. History has recorded the enormous role of vaccination in saving the world community from disease, disability and even death from immunization-preventable diseases (PD3I).
As responsible parents, we need to know why it’s important to ensure our children receive full and timely immunizations. The following is a summary of the seven risks that can be experienced by children, their families and their environment if immunization needs are not met in time:
– Children are more vulnerable to serious illnesses
Did you know that children who don’t get full and timely vaccinations will be more susceptible to various diseases that immunization could have prevented, such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough and diphtheria? Furthermore, children who are not immunized are also more vulnerable to other health problems; for example, when a child gets measles, they often experience complications such as diarrhea, pneumonia, blindness, and malnutrition.
– The possibility that other family members are also seriously ill is higher
Did you know that children who are sick and don’t get their vaccinations are more at risk of infecting other people around them? Vice versa; Children who are not immunized are more at risk of contracting the disease.
Whenever someone gets sick, their children, grandchildren and parents are also at risk. Adults are the main source of pertussis infection (whooping cough) in infants, this disease can even cause death in infants. Immunization not only protects the child, but also the parents and other family members and people in their vicinity who may have difficulty accessing vaccinations.
Even adults can get the disease and experience mild symptoms but with fatal complications. Pregnant women infected with the rubella virus, for example, are at high risk of giving birth to babies with various forms of congenital complications, called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Meanwhile, pregnant women who contract the measles virus are at risk of having a miscarriage.
– You may participate in causing epidemics in the environment
Infectious disease cases among vulnerable groups can develop into widespread community outbreaks. For this reason, the government currently still provides polio immunization to children. If more children go unvaccinated, diseases that have been prevented for years may reemerge.
– Diseases and disease complications cause high costs for treatment and care
A disease not only has a direct impact on sufferers and their families, but also on society as a whole. The disease and the complications of the disease can be an expensive and time-consuming treatment.
Diphtheria patients, for example, require immediate admission to a health facility capable of treating this disease and its complications. The patient will be placed in an isolation room and given special medicines. The average measles illness required up to 15 days of treatment, including an average of five to six days missed work or school for employees or students. Adults with hepatitis are on average unable to work for one month. In the case of a child born with SRK, they will need lifelong care and expensive medical care and therapy.
– Decreased quality of life
Diseases that can be prevented by immunization carry the risk of complications resulting in permanent disability. For example, measles can cause blindness. There is also paralysis as the most serious symptom associated with polio because it can cause permanent disability and death.
– Risk of decreased life expectancy
Incomplete vaccination contributes to reduced life expectancy. Conversely, full immunization until a child is five can increase life expectancy. Data shows that children who do not receive full immunization are more likely to contract various diseases as children, thus their life expectancy decreases.
In West Papua, life expectancy increased from 2010 to 2017 due to an important role played by the increase in the number of children receiving full immunisation.
– Travel and schooling limits
Several countries require full immunization for foreigners wishing to visit. If not immunised, children could lose the opportunity to get an education in these countries.
In addition, more and more schools are making “full immunization” a condition of enrollment. The goal is that all children and school members are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and thus children can fully enjoy their right to education in school.
Source: UNICEF Indonesia,
Yusneri, SKM, MM., – Indonesian Ministry of Health
Article support
[1] https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/2/07-040089.pdf
[2]https://sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id/baca/rilis-media/20180827/5827672/papua-barat-berhasil-tingkatkan-angka-harapan-hidup/
https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1809-98232017000600741
