Dengue Prevention in Kalimantan Continues to be Strengthened, North Kalimantan Starts Vaccination Program

JAKARTA - Efforts to prevent dengue in Kalimantan continue to be a concern, various control measures have been carried out continuously, ranging from strengthening surveillance to empowering the community in maintaining environmental cleanliness to vaccination, to reduce the risk of transmission of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DBD). .

The implementation of dengue vaccination was officially carried out by the North Kalimantan Provincial Health Office with the support of the budget from the North Kalimantan Provincial APBD. The activity is centered in Bulungan Regency, specifically the North Tanjung Palas District, and is carried out at the Panca Agung Village Hall.

This program involves cooperation between the Bulungan Regency Health Office, Tanjung Palas Utara Health Center, and various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the National Committee and the Regional Committee of KIPI, the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), the Bulungan Regency Government, and other cross-sectors. PT Bio Farma and PT Takeda Innovative Medicines are also involved as supporting partners.

Previously in North Kalimantan, dengue was recorded as an endemic disease that spread throughout the districts/cities. Throughout 2024, there were 735 cases of dengue with an IR of 98.98 per 100,000 people and a CFR of 1.09%.

Bulungan and Malinau regencies have the highest number of cases and deaths. Almost half of the total cases in that year occurred in the 6-14 age group, with an increasing trend that continues until July 2025.

"As technology develops, we need to consider more innovative approaches. Therefore, we encourage this dengue vaccination program as a strategy that complements existing protection efforts, especially for the most vulnerable groups. This initiative is in line with the national policy direction and the common target of 'Zero Death from Dengue in 2030'," said the Head of the North Kalimantan Provincial Health Office, Dr. H. Usman, SKM, M.Kes.

"Through strong collaboration between the central government, local governments, health workers, schools, and partners, we believe that North Kalimantan can take measurable steps forward in protecting the community from dengue.

This dengue vaccination program is not to replace the ongoing efforts, but as an additional layer of protection in the face of the real threat of dengue fever which is increasing along with the unpredictable weather conditions and the intensity of rainfall which is starting to rise.

This vaccination is expected to further strengthen the prevention efforts that have been carried out together, where the community still needs to be disciplined in maintaining environmental cleanliness so that mosquitoes do not breed, while building protection from within the body through vaccination.

In the initial phase, vaccination is planned to be given to 725 children aged 9-13 years or grades 3, 4, and 6 at 13 elementary schools and grades 7 of the first secondary school in the North Tanjung Palas District, Bulungan Regency, with implementation carefully prepared from health screening before vaccination, implementation of vaccination by trained health workers, to post-immunization observation.

The Bulungan Regency Government hopes that this program will run smoothly and can be well accepted by the community, so that more and more children in Bulungan are protected from dengue infection which has the potential to threaten their lives.

"We consider that strengthening dengue prevention requires consistent and sustainable steps, with clear education to stakeholders so that the program can be understood and implemented properly. Through support for public programs such as those initiated by the North Kalimantan Provincial Government in Bulungan Regency, we hope that more people can benefit from protection against the dengue virus," said President Director of PT Bio Farma, Shadiq Akasya, conveyed,

Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Takeda Innovative Medicines, Andreas Gutknecht, appreciated the leadership of the North Kalimantan Provincial Government as a pioneer in the implementation of dengue vaccination in North Kalimantan.

This initiative adds to the list of 12 regions in Indonesia that have implemented public vaccination programs to protect children from dengue. Dengue places a heavy burden on Indonesia, not only on the health system, but also on families and communities.

In 2024, BPJS Kesehatan recorded more than one million hospitalizations due to dengue, with costs approaching Rp. 3 trillion, not including cases reported during outbreaks, and the emotional and social impact borne by patients and families.

"We are committed to continuing to be a long-term partner in the effort to prevent dengue in Indonesia, through collaboration, education, and providing access to our innovative prevention," he explained.