Side Effects to Costs: Reasons Why Infants in Indonesia Didn't Receive Immunizations in 2022

Child immunization is crucial for maintaining immunity and preventing various diseases. However, many Indonesian children remain unvaccinated due to several reasons.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), 52.44% of Indonesian children aged 0-23 months have never received immunization because their parents fear vaccine side effects.

Furthermore, 34.65% of respondents expressed concerns about vaccine ingredients. Another 33.77% doubted the effectiveness of immunization. A crucial factor was the inability to afford immunization, cited by 10.21% of respondents.

It's important to note that the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has increased the number of routine immunizations for infants and children in Indonesia from 11 to 14 vaccines, starting this year. These vaccines are free of charge.

Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that immunization is the most effective and affordable way to prevent maternal and child mortality. "Vaccination is a far cheaper and more effective health intervention than treatment after someone is hospitalized," Budi said on the official Kemenkes website on Friday, April 22, 2023.

(Read also: How is the Measles Immunization Trend in Indonesia Amidst the Surging Cases?)