Klaten, June 21, 2023
As a member of the global community, Indonesia has committed to achieving global targets, one of which is the eradication of Polio by 2026. Eradication means reducing the disease prevalence to zero cases throughout the world.
Globally, smallpox is the only disease that has been successfully eradicated. Polio is set to be the second. This disease is highly dangerous, as it can lead to lifelong paralysis and death.
We must understand that not all diseases can be eradicated. Polio, however, can be eradicated as the polio virus only lives and reproduces in the human body. Polio can be prevented with immunization, and safe and effective polio vaccines are available.
In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Indonesia and all other countries in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) polio-free (WHO). Our current shared challenge is to maintain this polio-free status by implementing all the committed strategies to attain a polio-free world.
Polio can be eradicated by ensuring that all children receive complete polio immunization before they turn one year old. Currently, the complete polio immunization in the national immunization schedule includes 4 doses of bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) administered in drops and 1 dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) administered in injection form.
To optimise protection against polio, a second dose of IPV or IPV2 will be added to the routine immunization schedule. This combination of 4 doses of bOPV and 2 doses of IPV has been recommended by WHO and the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI).
The second dose of IPV is administered at 9 months of age, concurrent with the Measles-Rubella immunization. The IPV2 introduction began in the provinces of DKI Jakarta, West Java, and Banten in 2022. This year, IPV2 introduction will be expanded to all regions of Indonesia, except for the DIY Province.
Today, the Minister of Health and the Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives launched the nationwide expansion of the IPV2 introduction at Grha Bung Karno, Klaten, attended by the Governor of Central Java Province, Regent of Klaten, Regents and Mayors throughout Solo Raya, along with all ranks of the Regional Government of Central Java Province and Klaten Regency, and the community in Klaten Regency. The event was followed by a visit of IPV2 immunization administration at the Gumpang Integrated Health Post, Sukoharjo.
Health Minister Budi stated that if only a few children in a region are vaccinated against polio, transmission to other children will occur. If transmission occurs, the polio virus will mutate, and cases will multiply.
"Thus, my message is not to just vaccinate yourself, but all the children in the village must be vaccinated, at least 90% . If they are not vaccinated, they will endanger their peers," said Health Minister Budi.
The WHO Representative for Indonesia, Dr. Paranietharan, said that for all countries, including Indonesia, that use a combination of bOPV and IPV vaccines, WHO recommends 4 doses of bOPV accompanied by 2 doses of IPV.
"Therefore, WHO appreciates the Indonesian government's commitment to launching the second dose of IPV (IPV2) as a form of optimal protection for children in Indonesia against polio," he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the national immunization programme worldwide, including in Indonesia. This has resulted in pockets where children have not enjoyed their rights to immunization. Consequently, various vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) are reappearing, including the polio outbreak in Aceh and West Java.
The IPV2 introduction not only aims to complete the series of polio immunization doses required, but is also expected to contribute to the effort to strengthen the national immunization programme as a whole.
Besides WHO, UNICEF also supports the IPV2 introduction. The UNICEF representative in Indonesia, Maniza Zaman, said UNICEF is committed to supporting ongoing efforts to ensure that life-saving immunization services are accessible to every child in Indonesia.
"Together with the government, UNICEF will continue to ensure that all children are protected from VPD throughout Indonesia, including hard-to-reach areas, so that more Indonesian children will receive their immunization services according to the recommended schedule and dose," she said.
This news was broadcasted by the Bureau of Communication and Community Services, Indonesia Ministry of Health. For further information, you can contact the email address kontak@kemkes.go.id.