Head of Health Policy and Management Department of Faculty of Medicine UGM, Prof. Laksono Trisnanto, has asked government to enact firm regulations on child immunisation to prevent the spread of disease, including diphtheria. This followed the extraordinary case of diphtheria cases found in 11 provinces throughout Indonesia.
Data from Health Ministry recorded until November 2017 there were 95 regencies and municipalities from 20 provinces that had reported cases of diphtheria. Overall, there were 622 cases of which 32 were fatal.
“Immunisation is important so government has to be firm on this matter,” he said on Tuesday after a press conference on a charity concert for cancer by Faculty of Medicine UGM in Hyatt Hotel Yogyakarta.
Laksono said ulemas were also expected to participate and increase people’s awareness to give immunisation to their children. The ulemas may also convince awareness of people who are against vaccines and on the importance of giving immunisation.
“All has to be aware of immunisation. If they ignore it, they may endanger others. There is the possibility of them carrying a disease and unguilty people will be impacted. Even Arab countries advises immunisation,” he said.
According to Laksono, government currently cannot push people to do it, different from countries in Europe that had made a firm decision on compulsory vaccination for early education children.
“In Europe there will be a legal case being imposed if the child has not been vaccinated, the parents will be fined,” he said.
Again, Laksono emphasised the need for government to take a firm measure to enact regulations related to compulsory immunisation for children. This is expected to improve society’s immunity and prevent contraction of diseases, including diphtheria.