Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Health Office launched the 2022 National Child Immunization Month (BIAN) at the Santika Premiere Hotel, Thursday (28/7/2022). This activity was attended directly by the Mayor of Malang Drs. H. Sutiaji, Chairperson of the Malang City PKK TP, Widayati Sutiaji, and the five sub-district heads in Malang City.
Through this event, the Malang City Government shows its commitment to continue improving the quality of life of the community in the health sector. In addition, this is to boost the coverage of routine immunization of children which had decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Mayor of Malang said that welcoming BIAN requires socialization because of the backlog or incomplete immunization received by children in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. There may be an assumption from parents that their children do not experience health problems even though they are not vaccinated, whereas the consequences can be later on.
"Hopefully the children who are vaccinated today can be an example that this vaccine is safe. There is no need to be afraid because it is of high quality. In addition, this vaccine is also free, emotional approaches need to be strengthened in the community (to make BIAN a success). The target is at least 95 percent of children in Malang City are protected by immunization with a projected target group of 39.971 children," he said.
Furthermore, Sutiaji conveyed his direction for implementation at BIAN in Malang City, namely to ensure the readiness of vaccines, health centers, health facilities, and health workers. The mayor also hopes that communication, information, and education to prevent disinformation related to vaccines will be strengthened. In addition, related parties are also asked to map crucial areas that need special attention. Finally, it is hoped that the Health Office will be able to optimize monitoring and evaluation.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Malang City Health Service, Dr. Husnul Muarif said that this meeting was held as an effort to accelerate complete basic immunization (IDL) in infants through routine immunization programs.
"This activity is also intended to maintain high and even population immunity. This is important to prevent the occurrence of Extraordinary Events (KLB) of Diseases that Can Be Prevented by Immunization (PD3I) in Indonesia and Malang City in particular," he explained.
Furthermore, Husnul explained that the implementation of this activity aims specifically to increase infant immunity through immunization programs. This bespectacled man hopes that immunization can stop the transmission of local measles and rubella viruses. In addition, to maintain Indonesia free of polio and realize global polio eradication in 2026, as well as control diphtheria and pertussis in Malang City.
One of the residents of Malang City, Ria Dwi Kurnia from Kauman Village who brought her four-year-old child, felt very grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this activity. "With the socialization from the government, from the mayor, we can participate in it. Hopefully all toddlers in Malang City can participate in this BIAN to be healthier," she said.
In line with Ria, Dea Ananda from Arjosari Village expressed her appreciation for the event held by the Malang City Health Office. "I am very touched. Thank you for being monitored, always looking at the development of my child who is currently 3,5 years old. Hopefully all children in Malang City in particular will receive complete immunizations," she said.
For your information, BIAN is the provision of additional immunization against Measles-Rubella and completes missed doses of Polio and DPT-HB-Hib Immunization. The schedule for implementing BIAN in Malang City is August 1-16 through 653 posts spread throughout Malang City. The implementation of BIAN will be supported by health workers from health centers and private health workers in Malang City with a total of 653 activities.
Present at this activity were 16 toddlers representing all health centers in Malang City and representatives from hospitals/RSIA/RSUD, health centers, and representatives from health professional organizations in Malang City. (ari/ram)
