Vaccination as Protection

Kompas/Rony Ariyanto Nugroho

Students of SD Negeri Cigadung elementary school, Bandung, West Java, are given the measles rubella immunization vaccine on Friday (11/8). The government is currently carrying out an MR vaccine program at schools. The vaccines are given to children aged 15 months to 9 years old to prevent congenital abnormalities, such as hearing disorders, vision impairment, heart disorder and mental disorder, caused by rubella at the time of pregnancy.

The reemergence of diphtheria cases in Indonesia is highly alarming as it is a disease that can be easily prevented through vaccination.

Diphtheria is caused by a bacterial infection on the mucous membrane in the nose and throat. The bacteria damages the tissue network, blocks the respiratory tract and can be fatal.

Health Ministry data show that 450 diphtheria cases were reported in 2017, with children between 5 and 9 years old being the most reported sufferers. At least 19 provinces have declared probable health emergencies (KLB), including Jakarta, Banten, West Java, East Java and West Sumatra. How can we explore this problem properly when the fact says that people in the capital and other regions with relatively good and well-managed infrastructure are falling victim to the disease?

Since 1974, the Indonesian government has implemented a nationwide vaccination program with DPT immunization being included two years later. The DPT vaccine – for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus – should be given for 2-month-old babies alongside other vaccines, such as for Hepatitis B, BCG, polio and measles.

However, apparently the 90-percent national immunization rate since 1990 exists only on paper. Pockets of disease time-bombs are cropping up due to geographical and socio-economic conditions, which is exacerbated by the negative campaigns on vaccines. This is despite the simple fact that vaccination remains the easiest, cheapest and most effective way to combat the spread of diseases.

In Culture, Health and Illness (2000), Cecil G. Helman said that organizational and technical issues were easy to solve. However, neglect in improving people’s awareness will always be a serious problem. This is what happens in Indonesia these days. Bombardments of negative information are widely spread on social media, sometimes with seemingly convincing religious arguments.

Therefore, the Health Ministry must transform its campaign methods and may need to consider involving religious leaders and community figures in its outreach activities. This is no different than when the government first introduced the Family Planning (KB) program in the early 1970s.

Persistent rumors, including regarding whether or not vaccines are halal (permissible by Islamic law), have negative side effects, and the so-called “Western conspiracy” must be answered using a socio-anthropological approach. Clarifications must be provided through all available mediums, including social media channels and outreach officers capable of changing the mindset of local communities. These outreach officers and local health teams are the spearheads in penetrating difficult geographical obstacles.

This way, the Health Ministry can disseminate the information that vaccination is important as a preventive measure. The government must be able to convince the people that vaccinations are given to protect – not to harm.