The DKI Jakarta provincial government is now providing free Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to children as part of their comprehensive routine immunization program aimed at preventing pneumonia.
“The DKI Jakarta Health Service is actively promoting awareness about this free PCV immunization,” stated Ani Ruspitawati, Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Service, on Monday.
Ruspitawati explained that the vaccine is available at both government-owned health service facilities and non-government hospitals. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance routine immunization coverage through local community health centers.
In 2023, the PCV immunization coverage for infants reached 139,887, or 84.48 percent. As of mid-May 2024, coverage stood at 27,784 infants or 19.27 percent.
According to Ruspitawati, the coverage for children under two years old was 66,419 (39.24 percent) in 2023, rising to 39,716 (23.98 percent) by mid-May 2024.
Although PCV can be administered to adults, Ruspitawati noted that the Ministry of Health or her office Does not have official records of adult vaccination coverage.
PCV immunization is administered as part of the primary immunization schedule at two and three months of age, with a follow-up dose at 12 months. This vaccine is given alongside other immunizations such as DPT-HB-Hib, polio drops, and rotavirus. Notably, the DPT-HB-Hib vaccine helps prevent pneumonia caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b virus.
Ruspitawati highlighted that immunization efforts began in 1977 and have since evolved into the Immunization Development Program (PPI). The health service continuously strives to raise immunization awareness through various channels, including personal education at health facilities and online and offline seminars for parents conducted by pediatricians.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, such as parental refusal and a lack of knowledge about maintaining the routine immunization schedule.
