COVID-19 Cases Slope, Central Bangka Begins To Intensify Rubella Measles Immunization

Illustration of a child undergoing immunization in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Between)

JAKARTA - The decline in the national COVID-19 case has made the Central Bangka Health Office (Dinkes) focus on handling rubella measles for children.

Head of the Central Bangka Health Office, Dr. Anas Maarif, said that the health office in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province is now starting to intensify immunization against measles and rubella.

"We started to intensify it this month, previously a little bit because we focused on giving the COVID-19 vaccine dose," said Anas in Koba, Monday, May 23.

His party has started to socialize the rubella measles immunization to parents, schools, and students.

"This immunization is carried out in the context of a commitment to achieve the elimination of measles and rubella/Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CSR) by 2023," said Anas quoting Antara.

In addition, he said, as an effort to maintain a polio-free status and create a polio-free world in 2026.

"This immunization target is for children aged nine to 12 years in Bangka Belitung Province and children under five who have not had their routine immunizations complete," he explained.

Anas said that the rubella measles immunization should always be available at the puskesmas and posyandu, but since the pandemic it has become less intensive.

"But starting this month we will intensify it again and we hope parents really understand the benefits of rubella measles immunization for their children," he said.