Vaccination Is A Preventive Effort In Kutai Kartanegara To Prevent Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

JAKARTA - Dengue hemorrhagic fever is still a scourge for the people of Indonesia, including in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan. In an effort to strengthen defense against this disease, the local government is intensifying the dengue vaccination program as part of a long-term strategy to protect the community, especially children, from the threat of the virus that continues to lurk throughout the year.

This step was taken in response to the high number of dengue cases recorded in the region. In 2024 alone, there were more than 10,000 dengue cases in East Kalimantan, with Kutai Kartanegara contributing the highest number, namely 2,802 cases.

This high health burden not only endangers the lives of residents, but also disrupts the stability of the local health system. Climate change, high population mobility, and rapid urbanization also trigger the spread of dengue which is increasingly difficult to control.

The Regent of Kutai Kartanegara, Edi Damansyah, assessed that vaccination is an important part of a comprehensive approach in dealing with dengue.

"We believe that overcoming dengue cannot only depend on one approach. A stronger, integrated, and sustainable strategy is needed, starting from education, community empowerment, vector control, to protection through vaccination," he said.

He added that this program targets around 1,550 elementary school children in grades 1 to 5 in Tenggarong District.

"We are optimistic that this initiative can reduce the number of cases in Kutai Kartanegara, as well as build public health resilience through stronger and more sustainable protection," he continued.

Support for this step also came from the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Director of Infectious Diseases, dr. Ina Agustina Isturini, MKM, explained that the central government is strengthening its dengue response strategy through a more applicative and integrated approach.

"We realize that to achieve a big goal, namely Dengue Death Point by 2030, more tactical, applicative, and adaptive steps are needed against challenges on the ground," said Ina.

He also appreciated the efforts of the East Kalimantan Health Office and the Kutai Kartanegara Regency Government, which according to him became a real example of good practice at the regional level.

Meanwhile, the Head of the East Kalimantan Provincial Health Office, Dr. dr. H. Jaya Mualimin, Sp.Kj, M.Kes, MARS, said that the successful implementation of vaccinations in Balikpapan and Samarinda was the basis for the expansion of the program to Kutai Kartanegara.

"Children who have received vaccinations do not experience dengue infection, which means that the level of protection against this disease has been increased," he explained.

He emphasized that vaccination is not the only effort made. Programs such as the 3M Plus Movement and cross-sectoral education continue, making vaccination a complement to the overall preventive approach.

In terms of vaccine supply, Sri Harsi Teteki as Director of Medical and Institutional Relations Bio Farma emphasized the company's important role in strengthening the national immunization system.

"We believe that the synergistic partnership between the central government, local governments, the private sector, and the community is the main foundation in building a strong and equitable health system," he said. Bio Farma, together with international partners such as Takeda, is part of the dengue vaccine distribution chain in Indonesia.

On the same occasion, President Director of PT Takeda Innovative Medicines, Andreas Gukknecht, also conveyed the importance of a preventive role in reducing the impact of this disease.

According to Andreas to this day, dengue is still a real threat and there is no cure that can specifically cure him. This makes prevention the key. He emphasized that his party is committed to becoming a long-term partner of the government and society in reducing morbidity and death from dengue.

"This initiative reflects the collaboration needed to create a sustainable impact on strengthening public health," he added.

Through strong cross-sectoral cooperation and full support from various stakeholders, the dengue vaccination program in Kutai Kartanegara is expected to be an important milestone in the journey towards the national target of elimination of death due to dengue by 2030.