Ministry Of Health Centers National RV Immunization Immunization In South Sulawesi

Photos Of The Rotavirus Vaccine "RV3-BB" (Antara Photo/Luqman Hakim)

MAKASSAR - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) is focusing on immunizing Rotavirus drops (RV) in South Sulawesi (Sulsel), precisely in Pangkajene and Islands (Pangkep) Regencies on August 15, 2023.

Ahead of the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, all babies will get RV drop immunizations to protect Indonesian children from severe diarrhea.

"The RV immunization will be carried out nationally on August 15, 2023 in South Sulawesi," said Ministry of Health spokesman Muhammad Syahril as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 14.

RV immunization targets begin at the earliest for children aged two months or babies born on May 16. They will be given 3 doses with a distance of 4 weeks between doses, and RV immunization the last dose is given to infants aged 6 months 29 days.

In 2022, RV immunization in Indonesia will be carried out in stages in 21 districts/cities in 18 provinces targeting 196,876 babies.

"There were two considerations at that time, namely the higher morbidity and mortality rate of diarrhea in toddlers and the readiness of regional resources in the implementation of immunization," said Syahril.

Diarrhea is still one of the highest causes of pain and death in babies.

Data from the 2017 Indonesian Rotavirus Surveillance Network (IRSN), about 45 percent of inpatient cases in toddlers are caused by acute liquid diarrhea caused by Rotavirus. In fact, about 9.8 percent of infant deaths under 12 months and 4.55 deaths in toddlers aged 12-59 months in Indonesia are caused by diarrhea.

The implementation of immunization is carried out in an integrated manner with cross-sectoral and cross-sectoral programs in terms of manpower, facilities, and funds, starting from the central level to the implementing level.

All vaccine needs are charged to the APBN, he said, while operational costs are charged to the APBN, APBD, and other non-binding sources.