Jakarta: A recent measles outbreak has claimed the lives of at least 17 people in Indonesia's southern province of East Java, with the majority of the victims being children. Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin is set to visit Sumenep Regency in East Java to address the crisis.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Health Minister has emphasized the preventable nature of measles through immunization and highlighted the need to revamp the country's immunization strategy to enhance its effectiveness.

Minister Sadikin noted that the outbreak was largely due to disrupted immunization programs during the Covid-19 pandemic. "This measles outbreak occurred because immunization was interrupted during the pandemic. Now we must accelerate immunization so no more children fall victim to measles, which can be fatal," he stated. In response to the outbreak, local authorities have commenced a large-scale vaccination campaign in Sumenep, supported by the Ministry of Health and nearby universities.

Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa announced the distribution of 9,825 measles vaccine doses, alongside vitamin A supplements provided by the provincial government. "Measles vaccination is being carried out simultaneously in Sumenep, with 9,825 vaccine doses prepared," she said. The campaign, which began on August 25, aims to vaccinate 95 percent of the children in Sumenep and will continue until September 14.