Record High Childhood Vaccination Coverage Decline: 40 Million Children Miss Measles Vaccine Doses

Tribunnews.com Reporter Report, Eko Sutriyanto

TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA – After the wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, childhood vaccination coverage continued to decline until it reached a record high in 2021, where 40 million children missed doses of measles vaccine.

This condition also certainly makes millions of children vulnerable to infection and it is even estimated that 128,000 people will die from measles in 2021 and these cases are dominated by children under the age of five.

When compared to the last 2021 measles cases, the increase in measles cases in Indonesia is now quite significant, which is approximately 32 times, meanwhile, there are around more than 1.7 million babies in Indonesia who have not received basic vaccines during the 2019-2021 period.

Currently, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia is targeting the elimination of measles and rubella as soon as possible for 2023.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia also stipulates Extraordinary Events (KLB) for the high transmission of measles in Indonesia and the results of reports, cases of measles transmission were in 31 provinces until December 2022.

Director of Immunization Management of the Ministry of Health dr. Prima Yosephine, MKM said that what was feared from measles was complications because it could cause severe diarrhea to death.

“Complications for measles are generally severe. If measles affects a child who is malnourished, this child can immediately be accompanied by complications such as severe diarrhea, pneumonia, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, infection in the lining of the eye which can lead to blindness. This is what we are worried about,” said dr. Yosephine on an occasion.

Symptoms of measles appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and usually include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes.

Then a measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms.

The following are signs and symptoms of measles that parents need to know and watch out for in their children, namely 7-14 days after infection with measles: the first symptoms are high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes (conjunctivitis).

Two or three days after the symptoms appear, white spots (colpic spots) appear in the mouth and after 3-5 days after the symptoms appear, namely a measles rash (flat red spots) that spreads over the body, small lumps may appear on top of the red spots on average, the spots on the skin can coalesce as they spread throughout the body, as well as a high fever that soars to temperatures of 40oC.

Measles is a disease in the class of Immunization Preventable Diseases (PD3I).

Also read: Measles Cases in Central Papua Province Increase, Low Vaccination Coverage Is the Cause

Measles is also one of the most contagious human viruses and is almost entirely preventable through vaccination so parental awareness of current childhood vaccine programs is very important.

Managing Director of MSD Indonesia, George Stylianou said vaccination is a preventive measure, therefore parents are expected to give vaccines gradually to their children so that their children grow up healthy.

“Routine immunizations such as vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella are important in preventing epidemics, serious illness, disability and infant and child mortality,” said George.

He said, there are two types of vaccines available, namely MR (measles, rubella) and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). MMR II® is indicated for active immunization in the prevention of measles, mumps, and rubella in individuals 12 months of age and older and received FDA approval in 1978.

“The Indonesian Pediatrician Association recommends giving the measles rubella vaccine (MR) to be given when the child is 9 months old. If the child is 12 months old and has not received the MR vaccine, MMR can be given from 12-15 months old, the second dose is 5-7 years old,” said George .

This article is part of Parapuan

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2023-07-30 14:07:23
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