In 2019, Indonesia and the other countries in the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region committed to eliminate measles and rubella by 2023. Indonesia achieved substantial reductions in measles and rubella during 2013–2021. However, in 2022, measles and rubella incidence significantly increased compared with 2021 because of disruption in surveillance and immunization services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in immunity gaps.
Elementary school students in Central Sulawesi during a catch-up immunization campaign in 2022. Credits: WHO/Iqbal Lubis
The Ministry of Health of Indonesia, in collaboration with WHO Indonesia and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wrote a report about the progress. Published in US CDC’s peer-reviewed journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the report describes the changes in vaccination coverage, disease incidence, and outbreak response in the country. It also discusses the challenges and opportunities for achieving the elimination target by 2023.
The authors recommend urgent actions to restore the immunization services, close the immunity gaps, and enhance the surveillance quality. They also highlight the need for regional and global collaboration to support the elimination efforts.