Tempo News: Regions to Conduct Diphtheria Immunization Program

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - West Java will prioritize diphtheria immunization program in regions bordering Jakarta. “There will be around 3,629,178 recipients spread across five districts or cities,” Health Office Disease Surveillance and Prevention Unit head Yus Ruseno told Tempo on Thursday, December 7.

The five regions are Bekasi District, Bekasi City, Depok City, Karawang and Purwakarta.Yus said that the immunization program will be rolled out on Monday. “We are waiting for the arrival of the vaccines and syringes,” he said.

Read: Tempo News: 3 Diphtheria Vaccines and Importance of Immunization

Diphtheria is a communicable disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria that may affect the respiratory system which can lead to death. As of last month, eleven provinces have declared a state of emergency of the bacterium spreading, namely Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Aceh, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, South Sulawesi, East Kalimantan and Riau.

The status has been declared due to the sharp increase in the number of diphtheria cases. Data from the Health Ministry show that as of November, diphtheria cases have been reported in 95 districts and cities in 20 provinces. At least 38 people died and 590 cases have been found. The ministry has called for diphtheria vaccination for children.

Read: Govt to Hold ORI in Preventing Widespread Diphtheria

Diphtheria vaccination will be administered in basic immunization for babies under one-year-old as much as three doses of DPT-HB-Hib vaccines. After the initial immunization, a booster injection of a dose of DPT-HB-Hib vaccines is needed for 18-month-year-old babies; DT vaccines for first-grade students and a dose of DT vaccine for second graders that shall be repeated when they are in the fifth grade.

According to Yus, the immunization program scheduled for next week is for under-19 children due to the lack of budget. It will be carried out gradually at integrated health service outpost (posyandu), schools and community health centers (puskesmas). He said that at least 18 districts in West Java have declared a status of emergency of diphtheria after 125 cases were reported, killing 13 people.

AHMAD FIKRI | ADI WARSONO | JONIANSYAH HARDJONO | IRSYAN HASYIM