inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian Ministry of Health is collaborating with religious organizations to counter misinformation and boost national immunization coverage.

The Ministry of Health's Director of Immunization, Indri Yogyaswari, stated that her office has engaged with several organizations, including Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, Aisyiyah, and Fatayat NU.

"In the moments of measles outbreak, we engaged with colleagues from NU, Muhammadiyah, and women from Aisyiyah and Fatayat NU," said Indri on Friday (4/24/2026).

She explained that religious leaders play a crucial role in conveying immunization messages to the public, particularly in overcoming obstacles such as perceived unimportance of vaccines, halal-haram issues, and fatalistic views regarding fate.

According to Indri, immunization does not completely prevent disease, but it is effective in reducing severity, mortality, and transmission.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono emphasized the role of the media in improving immunization coverage. He said the media must act as educators, purveyors of information, and conveyors of accurate information.

On the other hand, the United Nations Development Programme representative in Indonesia, Sujala Pant, added that immunization is the most effective and efficient health intervention. 

"For every dollar we invest in immunization, there is a return of $52 in low- and middle-income countries," he said.

He also noted that childhood vaccination prevents approximately 4 million deaths annually globally.

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