RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is placing healthcare workers at the forefront of its expanded measles vaccination campaign. The Ministry of Health announced at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 that health workers will be prioritized for vaccination as forefront personnel.

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) officially approved the regulation on April 7, 2026 to extend measles vaccine use to adults. At the press conference, the Ministry of Health also announced that high-risk groups-particularly medical and health workers-will be prioritized in the rollout.

“Healthcare workers who are directly exposed to patients face a higher risk of transmission. They will be among the first to receive the vaccine,” Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Lucia Rizka Andalucia, conveyed at the press conference.

Government data shows that more than 2.2 million healthcare workers across 14 provinces with the highest measles incidence have been identified as priority recipients. This includes tens of thousands of doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel working in high-exposure environments.

Although measles vaccination remains mandatory for children under the national immunization schedule, adult vaccination will initially focus on high-risk groups rather than the general population.

“The Ministry of Health also conducts ORI (Outbreak Response Immunization) in areas with high case counts or that are experiencing public health emergencies,” Lucia said on the occasion.

Officials emphasized that protecting healthcare workers is critical to ensuring uninterrupted medical services during outbreaks. The campaign will be coordinated nationwide, supported by existing vaccine stockpiles of nearly 10 million doses and a real-time logistics monitoring system.