Cases Surge 32-Fold: Which Indonesian Province Has the Lowest Measles Immunization Coverage?

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) confirmed that measles cases reached 3,341 in 223 districts across 31 Indonesian provinces by December 2022. This figure is a 32-fold increase compared to the previous year.

The Head of the Tropical Infectious Disease Coordination Working Unit, Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), Anggraini Alam, stated that this surge in cases is due to decreased child immunity. This is also evident in the decline in measles vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anggraini stated that measles infection rates can be avoided with sufficient immunization coverage, namely 91-94%. Therefore, measles vaccination should be given starting in infancy.

"If we stop measles vaccination, we (potentially) will be affected by the disease. According to Mr. Tedros (WHO Director-General), many infectious diseases can be prevented through vaccines. If not given, be prepared for outbreaks of various diseases, including measles," said Anggraini, as quoted from *Kompas.com*, Thursday (19/1).

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), measles immunization coverage in Indonesian infants was only 70.14% in 2022. However, this figure increased from the previous year's 68.67%.

By region, Aceh is the province with the lowest national measles immunization coverage for infants. The percentage is only 38.19%, far below the national average.

The provinces with the next lowest measles immunization coverage for infants are West Sumatra, reaching 56.48% of the infant population in the province; followed by Riau at 62.31%, Jambi at 63.65%, and West Kalimantan at 64.65%.

On the other hand, Bali is the province with the highest national measles immunization coverage for infants at 81.69%.

The following are the percentages of Indonesian infants who received measles immunization in 2022:

1. Aceh: 38.19%
2. West Sumatra: 56.48%
3. Riau: 62.31%
4. Jambi: 63.65%
5. West Kalimantan: 64.65%
6. North Sumatra: 65.07%
7. Banten: 65.55%
8. Central Kalimantan: 67.72%
9. South Kalimantan: 67.75%
10. West Sulawesi: 67.92%
11. West Java: 69.03%
12. Papua: 69.25%
13. North Maluku: 69.45%
14. Bangka Belitung Islands: 70.36%
15. East Kalimantan: 70.55%
16. West Papua: 70.99%
17. East Java: 71.25%
18. Central Sulawesi: 71.60%
19. North Kalimantan: 72.67%
20. Maluku: 72.76%
21. Gorontalo: 72.99%
22. South Sulawesi: 73.84%
23. South Sumatra: 74%
24. Jakarta: 74.19%
25. Southeast Sulawesi: 74.81%
26. Riau Islands: 75.32%
27. Central Java: 75.67%
28. Lampung: 76.18%
29. West Nusa Tenggara: 76.29%
30. Bengkulu: 76.41%
31. North Sulawesi: 77.05%
32. Yogyakarta: 77.88%
33. East Nusa Tenggara: 78.75%
34. Bali: 81.69%
35. Indonesia: 70.14%