Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Association of Pediatricians (IDAI) has launched the Littleku (Full Immunization of Children) program as part of an effort to increase regular immunization coverage among children, which has been hampered by the pandemic of COVID-19.

“If children’s immunizations fall below 60%, it can trigger diseases that (were previously) controlled (before) the epidemic,” IDAI President Piprim Basarah Yanuarso said on Monday in a statement. Press.

The Littleku program is expected to provide information to IDAI regarding routine reporting of cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as diphtheria, measles and rubella, he said.

Currently, basic immunization coverage among children has declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the country in March 2020, he noted. Therefore, intensive education is needed for the community to understand the importance of fully immunizing children, he said.

“Many doctors are worried about the injection or the late vaccination of children,” he added.

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Basic and advanced vaccinations are also important for maintaining children’s immunity, especially to protect them during face-to-face learning (PTM) activities limited to school, Yanuarso said.

To support the Littleku program, all IDAI branches in the regions will need to set up social media accounts to educate children and parents about the benefits of immunization, he added.

The Littleku program should regularly update data on vaccine-preventable diseases (PD3I), he said.

“IDAI officials have started regular meetings, including reporting on PD3I data, immunization coverage, immunization data from non-program physicians, and branch follower data,” he said. informed.

Telephone consultations will also be offered as part of the Littleku program, Yanuarso said.

“We have created an IDAI hotline to respond to healthcare requests. If anyone wants to ask questions about the vaccination, they can call the hotline, ”he added.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, as of October 2021, comprehensive basic immunization coverage nationwide had only reached 56.5% of the target of 78%.

Provinces that have successfully met the target and provided full basic immunization to children against hepatitis B, BCG, polio and DTP include Bengkulu, Banten, South Sumatra, South Sulawesi and Bangka Belitung, a he reported.

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