Vaccines have been hailed as one of the greatest achievements in public health, saving an estimated 5 million lives every year worldwide. In its meeting, pafikutaikab.org emphasized yet, even with their proven effectiveness, many countries including Indonesia continue to face challenges in achieving full immunization coverage.
In response, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has intensified its efforts through a national initiative known as PENARI (Percepatan Imunisasi Nasional Rutin dan Imunisasi Kejar), aimed at boosting vaccination rates and preventing future outbreaks.
A Global Lifesaver
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunization prevents millions of deaths each year by protecting individuals from life-threatening diseases such as measles, diphtheria, polio, and hepatitis. Vaccines have also been critical in containing global outbreaks, including COVID-19, and are essential in reducing child mortality rates.
However, disruptions caused by the pandemic led to a decline in immunization coverage in many regions. The WHO estimates that nearly 25 million children worldwide missed routine vaccinations in 2022 — the highest number in over a decade.
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Indonesia’s Challenge
Indonesia, home to more than 270 million people spread across 17,000 islands, faces unique challenges in its immunization drive. Geographic barriers, misinformation, and access issues in remote areas have slowed vaccination rates.
“Immunization is not just a medical issue it’s also about logistics, education, and community trust,” said Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health.
She emphasized that the goal of PENARI is to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, receives complete immunization by the age of two.
What Is the PENARI Program?
Launched in 2024, PENARI (National Routine and Catch-Up Immunization Acceleration Program) targets children who missed vaccines during the pandemic while strengthening regular immunization services at the community level.
The program involves:
- Door-to-door immunization campaigns in high-risk districts
- Mobile vaccination units for remote islands and rural villages
- Public education drives to counter misinformation about vaccines
- Partnerships with local health centers (puskesmas) and schools to track vaccination records
By integrating digital monitoring tools, PENARI also allows health workers to identify unvaccinated children more efficiently.
Early Progress and Public Support
Since its launch, PENARI has helped increase basic immunization coverage from 86% in 2023 to 91% in mid-2025, according to the Ministry of Health’s internal data.
Community health volunteers (kader posyandu) have played a key role in these efforts by conducting household visits and educating parents on the importance of completing the immunization schedule.
“The trust of parents is essential,” said Dr. Tarmizi. “We are working to rebuild that confidence by ensuring vaccines are safe, accessible, and free.”
Looking Ahead
Health officials believe Indonesia is on track to reach WHO’s 95% immunization coverage target by 2027 — a milestone that could prevent thousands of deaths each year.
Still, experts warn that sustaining progress requires continuous investment and public awareness. “Immunization is a shared responsibility,” said Dr. Tarmizi. “When one child remains unvaccinated, the whole community is at risk.”
The Bottom Line
Vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective ways to protect public health. Through programs like PENARI, Indonesia is working to close the gap, ensuring that every child from the cities of Java to the islands of Papua — has an equal chance to grow up healthy and protected.
Source: https://pafikutaikab.org/
