Jakata (ANTARA) – Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the diphtheria case with an extraordinary incident status (KLB) in Garut, West Java, was triggered by delays in immunization during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Diphtheria in Garut is indeed lacking in vaccinations, because of COVID-19 it has become somewhat less,” said Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin after attending the 2023 Lokapala agenda held by CISDI in Jakarta, Wednesday.
He said the Ministry of Health’s response in following up on diphtheria outbreaks in the regions was by catching up with Diphtheria Tetanus (DT) immunization to prevent a number of infectious diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis or whooping tub.
“We will handle it. We have sent a team there. The area there (Garut) has insufficient diphtheria immunization,” he said.
Budi said the COVID-19 pandemic had consumed the energy of all health workers, which had implications for the underdevelopment of immunization program coverage in the regions.
Currently the Ministry of Health has mapped out which areas are lagging behind in the National Immunization Program to be accelerated.
“We have identified which areas have insufficient immunizations. This incident is like polio. Because at the time of COVID-19, a lot of energy ran out, so some children’s immunizations were left behind,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Garut Regional Government reported two cases of diphtheria experienced by residents of Sukahurip Village, Pangatikan District. Several others, declared suspect status.
This incident prompted the Garut Regency Government (Pemkab) to establish the status of an outbreak of diphtheria through the Regent’s Decree Number 100.3.3.2/KEP.91-DINKES/2023 for the period February to November 2023.
Also read: IDAI: Supplements cannot replace immunization
