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Ambon, Surganusantara.com: The achievement of the child immunization program in Ambon City after the Covid-19 pandemic has decreased. This is because there are still some people who refuse to let their children get immunizations.
Head of the Ambon City Health Service, Johan Stefanus Norimarna, said that immunizations are given to children from newborns to elementary school age. However, the biggest challenge currently occurs in the immunization of school-aged children through the School Children’s Immunization Month (BIAS) program.
“The immunization program for children is given from the age of 0 days until the child is in the 6th grade of elementary school. Specifically, measles immunization is given at the age of 9 months, then at the age of 1 year 6 months, and when the child is in the 1st grade of elementary school,” said Norimarna when interviewed via WhatsApp, Tuesday (17/3/2026).
He explained, based on the evaluation results of the Ambon City Health Service, most rejections occurred during the implementation of immunization for school children. In fact, before implementing BIAS, his party had carried out outreach to the community.
According to him, the obstacle currently faced is that cross-sector participation has not been maximized in supporting the immunization program.
“In the future, there needs to be stronger coordination and involvement across sectors such as the Department of Education, Ministry of Religion and other sectors so that education to the public about the importance of immunization can be maximized,” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding the readiness of health facilities to detect and treat measles cases early on, Norimarna said that throughout 2025 there would be no confirmed measles cases in Ambon City.
“In 2025 there will be no confirmed cases of measles. There are only suspected cases of measles spread across four sub-districts, namely Nusaniwe, Sirimau, Baguala and Teluk Ambon,” he explained.
If a suspected case of measles is found, the health facility will take serum samples to be sent to the Health Laboratory Center (BBLK) in Surabaya or Jakarta, because measles and rubella examinations cannot yet be carried out in Ambon.
For initial treatment, patients will be given symptomatic treatment which focuses on managing symptoms, administering vitamin A twice according to the dose and carrying out self-isolation. Close contacts who have symptoms will also receive the same treatment.
The Health Service also takes early detection steps through sweeping or swiping in areas that have low measles immunization coverage.
“If a child is found with symptoms of fever and mucopapular rash, specimen collection, symptomatic treatment, administration of vitamin A and self-isolation will be carried out. If symptoms of complications such as high fever, shortness of breath or diarrhea appear, they must be immediately taken to the health center or hospital,” he explained.
He added that an outbreak of suspected measles can be determined if five or more cases are found within four consecutive weeks that occur in groups and have an epidemiological relationship.
Norimarna emphasized that increasing immunization coverage and strengthening early detection continues to be carried out to prevent the potential spread of measles in Ambon City. (BN Grace)
