JAKARTA - As part of preventive measures to deal with the increasing number of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases, the North Minahasa Regency Government, North Sulawesi, has begun implementing the dengue vaccination program.
This program targets elementary school-age children in areas with a high risk of transmission, as part of a comprehensive effort to reduce the number of dengue events that have soared in the last three years.
The Regent of North Minahasa, Joune Double, said that the launch of this vaccination was a follow-up to the direction of the Ministry of Health as stated in the 2021-2025 National Dengue Management Strategy.
The number of dengue events in North Minahasa is still above the national target threshold. Through vaccination, we want to provide more effective protection to the community, especially children," he said as quoted by ANTARA.
Head of the North Minahasa Health Service, dr. Stella Safitri, added that although efforts to eradicate mosquito nests (PSN) such as the 3M Plus Movement, the use of abates, and fogging continue to be carried out, dengue cases still show an increasing trend.
"This year we decided to add a vaccination strategy as an integrated approach to controlling dengue," explained Stella.
In the initial stage, the vaccination program is targeted to reach 500 elementary school children and ibtidaiyah madrasah (SD/MI) in two sub-districts with a high case rate, namely Kalawat and Dimembe.
Pediatrician, dr. Hesty Lestari, Sp.A, who accompanied launch activities, explained that dengue vaccines can be given to children starting at the age of six. He emphasized the importance of early vaccination because dengue infection can occur more than once and potentially heavier in the second infection.
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'Children who have been infected with dengue can experience more severe symptoms in the future. Therefore, prevention with vaccines is very crucial,' said Hesty.
Meanwhile, Director of Medical, Institutional, and Governance Relations Bio Farma, dr. Sri Harsi Teteki, stated that Bio Farma is committed to continuing to support immunization programs, including the provision of dengue vaccines broadly and evenly.
President Director of PT Takeda Innovative Medicines, Andreas Gukknecht, also appreciated the steps taken by North Minahasa which became the first area in Sulawesi to implement dengue vaccinations in a programmatic manner.
This is part of an effort towards a zero-death target from dengue by 2030. Dengue control requires continued cross-sectoral collaboration, and we are proud to be part of this initiative," Andreas said.
Vaccination launch activities are also coupled with socialization themed Tatalaksana Screening Cancer Cervices and Prevention of Dengue Diseases' which are held in collaboration with the North Minahasa Health Office, PT Bio Farma, and PT Takeda Innovative Medicines.
According to local Health Office data, dengue cases in North Minahasa jumped sharply from 116 cases in 2022 to 800 cases with four deaths in 2024.
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