BPOM Approves Measles Vaccine for Adults amid Case Surge
Reporter
April 10, 2026 | 11:33 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Health has announced that the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has authorized the use of measles vaccines for adults. The approval covers MR, MMR, and single-component measles vaccines produced by Bio Farma/Serum Institute of India, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD).
Rizka Andalusia, the Director General of Pharmacy and Medical Devices, stated that measles vaccination for adults will initially prioritize medical workers and health personnel. The Ministry of Health is targeting 39,212 medical workers and 223,150 health personnel across 14 provinces with the highest case numbers during this first phase.
"With these extraordinary cases, the potential for transmission to high-risk individuals, which in this case, health workers who deal directly with patients, is high," Rizka noted in a written statement on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
In addition to personnel in priority areas, vaccinations will also be administered to 28,321 general practitioners and dentists currently undergoing internships throughout Indonesia. The total vaccine requirement for this priority adult group is estimated at approximately 290,000 doses.
According to Rizka, the current national stockpile is sufficient to meet this demand. The MR vaccine stock stands at 9.8 million doses, which is projected to last for 5.5 months. "We are ensuring that stocks in all regions remain steady but not excessive, preventing the risk of vaccines being damaged later on," she said.
The move follows the tragic death of an intern doctor, identified by the initials AMW (26), who was on duty in Cianjur Regency, West Java, on March 26, 2026. A Ministry of Health investigation confirmed the doctor died after contracting measles with severe complications affecting both the heart and the brain.
In response to the rising figures and outbreaks (KLB) in several regions, the Ministry of Health issued Circular Letter Number HK.02.02/C/1602/2026. The directive mandates that all health facilities remain vigilant and report any suspected measles cases within 24 hours.
As of the 11th week of 2026, there have been 58 measles outbreaks across 39 regencies and cities in 14 provinces. Cases peaked at 2,740 at the start of the year before declining to 177 cases by March 2026.
Read: Measles Complications Threaten Children as Cases Rise
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