Indonesia Launches Measles Vaccination Drive After 17 Child Deaths

Hundreds of children lined up for free measles shots in Indonesia on Monday as authorities began an emergency vaccination campaign following an outbreak that has killed 17 children in East Java province.

More than 2,000 children have been infected over the past eight months, with 16 of the deaths reported in Sumenep district. Health officials said nearly all the victims had not been fully immunized.

Indonesia has faced repeated measles outbreaks due to gaps in vaccination coverage. In 2018, a major outbreak in Papua caused dozens of deaths. Vaccination drives were slowed after the Indonesian Ulema Council raised concerns that the measles-rubella vaccine contained pork derivatives, although its use was temporarily permitted until a halal alternative could be found.

Nationally, only 72% of children under five received the measles vaccine last year, with coverage dipping below 50% in some provinces, well below the 95% threshold experts say is needed to prevent outbreaks.

Authorities in Sumenep are now targeting 78,000 children aged 9 months to 6 years for immunization. “Otherwise, measles will spread further among our children and become even more fatal,” said Imam Hasyim, the district’s deputy chief.

Globally, the World Health Organization said 60 countries reported large measles outbreaks last year.