Commission IX of the DPR urges the government to intervene in mass immunization to prevent the fatality of measles
Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Neng Eem Marhamah Zulfa Hiz, responded to the surge in measles cases in Indonesia which reached 8,224 suspected cases in the first two months of 2026. He urged the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) to carry out an accelerated intervention in immunization coverage to prevent permanent complications in children.
Based on the epidemiological report, as of February 23, 2026, Indonesia has recorded 21 Extraordinary Events (KLB) in 17 districts/cities spread across 11 provinces. Neng Eem assessed that this situation is critical considering that measles has a very high transmission rate (R0).
"We urge the Ministry of Health to immediately expand the scope of immunization. Don't let there be an immunity gap that makes our children vulnerable. Without vaccine protection, the risk of spread will continue to expand exponentially," said Neng Eem, Saturday, February 28.
Neng Eem reminded that clinically, measles is not just a common skin infection. This disease is immunosuppressive which can paralyze the child's immune system, triggering fatal complications such as pneumonia (lung infection), severe diarrhea that causes acute dehydration, to encephalitis (brain inflammation).
The data of four deaths reported is a clear evidence that this disease is very deadly for children with poor nutritional status or low immunity.
"Measles can cause serious complications and even death. In addition to having a direct impact on individual health, this outbreak puts a heavy burden on our health service system," he said.
To stop the transmission of the virus, said Neng Eem, a minimum immunization coverage of 95 percent is needed to form herd immunity. However, the current technical challenge in the field is the high rejection rate due to vaccine misinformation.
He emphasized that the risk communication strategy must be immediately improved by involving medical authorities and community leaders who have credibility at the local level.
"Prevention efforts must be carried out as early as possible through equitable immunization. The approach to the community cannot be only administrative; it must be persuasive and touch the grassroots so that this medical message is properly received in order to protect future generations," he concluded.