Jakarta, IO – Dengue fever (DBD) remains a huge health threat in Indonesia. “The number of cases continues to increase, and it remains a threat to our population all year long. Therefore, the Government aims for a total caseload of fewer than 10 pr 100,000 citizens by 2024, and of zero DBD deaths by 2030,” declared dr. Imran Pambudi, MPHM, Ministry of Health Director for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases, in the “Healthy Yes, DBD No” talk show held by Takeda b, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs to commemorate the National Sports Day at the Jakarta International Velodrome, Sunday (10/9/2023).
DBD has been detected in Indonesia since 1968. Up to August 2023, nearly 60,000 DBD infections and 430 DBD deaths have been reported. “Nearly all regions in Indonesia are now endemic, and it is no longer confined to seasonal appearance. It now appears year-round, randomly,” dr. Imran reported.
DBD attacks people of any age. Therefore, DBD vaccination is extremely important to protect the public from infection. “The vaccine helps the body develop natural defense against the dengue virus, reduces risk of serious infection, and provides comprehensive protection. Indonesian Society of Internal Disease Medicine (PAPDI) has included the dengue vaccine as a recommended immunization for adults. It is now available in many health facilities,” declared Dr. dr. Sukamto Koesnoe, Sp.PD, K-AI, FINASIM, Head of PAPDI’s Adult Immunization Task Force.
The DBD vaccines have been distributed to 800 hospitals and vaccination clinics across Indonesia. Andreas Gutknecht, President Director of PT Takeda Innovative Medicines, reported that the priced at Rp 567,000.00 a dose and is safe for 6-year-old children to 45-year-old adults.
“The second dose of the vaccine is administered three months after the first, and it will last five years. It’s cheaper than our monthly cellphone credit. I don’t think it is expensive when we factor in just how precious our health is,” Dr. Sukamto said.
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Also present at the event was Indonesian national football player Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar, who recently obtained DBD vaccination himself: “I only suffered mild aches as side effect. As an athlete, I must always be at my prime no matter what event I am participating in. A disease like the DBD has been a bogeyman that haunted me, especially since Indonesia is a country endemic to it and a lot of people have suffered it,” he said.
Other than getting vaccinated, it is also important to perform the “3M” action in our everyday life: draining all surfaces that may allow stagnant water to accumulate; covering water storage places); and recycling all items that may serve as breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the dengue virus. (rp/est)