The immunization program, which has been met with resistance from certain groups, should involve the community
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·3 minutes read
Kompas/WAWAN H PRABOWO
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JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The immunization program, which has been met with resistance from certain groups, should involve the community, including religious leaders to be more effective in promoting awareness of its importance.
The secretary-general of the Association of Indonesian Public Health Experts (IAKMI), Husein Habsyi, said in Jakarta on Tuesday that providing the correct information about the immunization program through social media could also be used to handle misinformation.
However, the aim should be to improve understanding, as it hard to change people’s attitudes and behavior. Therefore, the involvement of the community and religious leaders, as well as the assistance of health workers, is still needed.
The goal is to get people to participate in the immunization program as part of efforts to prevent disease.
Arifianto, a pediatrician at Pasar Rebo Hospital, Jakarta, and author of “Pro and Corn on Immunization”, said the government could also empower community groups that have supported the campaign.
Social activities
In Banyuwangi regency, East Java, the local government takes the advantage of social activities in the community to promote health programs, including immunization programs.
The activities to promote health programs include religious and social gatherings regularly held by women in the neighborhoods. The programs have been running for more than two years.
Pujiani, a 26-year old health worker at the Tampo Public Health Center in Cluring district, said she and other health workers attended the monthly religious gathering held by the community to provide information on the importance of a healthy life. The importance of immunization, healthy latrines and taking care of the elderly are also part of the talks.
The chief of the health agency in East Java, Kohar Hari Santoso, said those who are known and trusted by the people play an important role in promoting the immunization program. They consist of religious leaders, village community leaders, health workers and midwives.
"Not only the PKK [Family Welfare Movement] and Posyandu [community health service] workers, it should also involve the Indonesian Ulema Council, village and district heads, education offices and professional organizations," said the head of the Surabaya health agency, Febria Rachmanita.
Meanwhile, Asrorun Ni\'am Sholeh, one of leaders of the Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Islamic organization, said religious figures and institutions had been involved in immunization campaigns, but their involvement was not optimal.
According to Ni\'am, there are two groups of people who reject vaccines due to religious beliefs. First, there are those who theologically reject vaccines as a means to prevent disease. Second, there are those who actually accept vaccines as they believe they prevent disease, but reject them because they deem the vaccines being used as containing elements that are considered unclean.
In dealing with the first group, the involvement of religious figures and institutions is needed. If such a group of people still reject vaccines, at least the religious dialogue can prevent them from influencing others.
