Sumenep Extends Measles Immunization Drive as Target Remains Elusive
Sumenep, East Java - A mass measles immunization campaign in Sumenep Regency has been extended by two weeks in an effort to reach teh targeted vaccination rate, officials announced Tuesday. Despite initial efforts, the Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) program had reached 81.3 percent of its 73,969-child goal as of the original deadline.
“Our target is 95 percent. It turns out that until the specified time limit – 2 weeks of implementation and 1 week of evaluation and sweeping – the target has not been achieved,” stated Achmad Syamsuri, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Sumenep Health Office, Population and Family Planning Control (P2KB Dinkes).
The extension, coordinated with the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, and Airlangga University, will run until September 27, 2025. Syamsuri indicated a renewed push involving local stakeholders, including village heads, to encourage vaccination.
While eight puskesmas (community health centers) have exceeded 90 percent vaccination rates, others lag considerably, with one reporting coverage as low as 40 percent.
The extended campaign will focus on revitalizing posyandu (integrated health posts) for immunization during the first week, followed by door-to-door outreach in the second week.
As of Monday, September 15, 2025, 61,392 children – 83 percent of the target population – had received the measles vaccine. Syamsuri emphasized the need for continued support from all parties to achieve the desired immunization coverage.
