JAKARTA - Measles is still one of the infectious diseases that need to be watched out for in Indonesia, especially because of its rapid spread in environments with low immunization coverage. This disease can cause serious complications, especially in children, so that prevention efforts through vaccination and health education continue to be intensified by the government.
The Ministry of Health reported that up to week 11 of 2026, the number of measles cases showed a significant decline. There were 177 suspected cases and 121 confirmed cases, down sharply compared to the first week which reached 2,740 suspects and 2,268 cases.
The Head of the Ministry of Health's Public Communication and Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, explained that the downward trend began to be seen after the third week.
"After week 3, the weekly trend gradually decreased until week 11, where the number of suspects decreased to 177 suspects, and measles cases became 121 cases, indicating a decrease of about 94-95 percent from the peak of week 1," he said.
Previously, until week 9 of 2026, the number of measles cases was recorded as 8,716 with 10,826 suspects. The government is also accelerating the implementation of immunization in various regions as a control measure.
Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health, Andi Saguni, revealed that in the 9th week there was an increase of about 500 cases. Until the 8th week, 10,453 suspects were recorded with 8,372 confirmed cases and six deaths. Meanwhile, in the 7th week there were 8,224 suspects, 572 confirmed cases, and four deaths.
According to Andi, the decline in the number of cases in the following weeks is inseparable from the intensification of the immunization program and public education regarding clean and healthy living behaviors.
He also mentioned 45 extraordinary measles cases (KLB) spread across 29 regencies/cities in 11 provinces, including North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi.
"The weekly trend of measles cases and laboratory confirmation in 11 provinces affected by KLB in 2026, most of which show a decrease in cases except for NTB Province (Bima Regency and Bima City) which still shows high cases," he said.
Several areas with the highest number of cases and suspects throughout 2026 include South Tangerang, Bima, Tangerang, Depok, Central Jakarta, Palembang, and Padang.
Data as of March 12, 2026 shows that 22 regencies/cities that have experienced KLB have carried out Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) of MR vaccine for children aged 9-59 months. The highest coverage was recorded in Pamekasan at 47.93 percent, followed by Jember 38.64 percent and Bima 22.73 percent.
In addition, five areas with high cases are also carrying out the Catch Up Immunization (MR) or MR catch-up immunization. The highest achievement is in Central Jakarta at 80.4 percent, followed by West Jakarta at 56.4 percent, Depok at 17.3 percent, South Tangerang at 8.4 percent, and Palu at 5.6 percent.
In its implementation, as many as 51 technical implementing units in the field of health quarantine also support immunization services by coordinating with the regional health service.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the government targets measles immunization coverage to reach 95 percent within one to two weeks, before Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.
"Well, today it has been running for a week. I see the results of the penetration are good. The exact number I haven't got. But we are chasing this if we can before Lebaran," he said.
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