Bantul (MidLand) – Bantul Regency Health Service (Dinkes), Yogyakarta Special Region is conducting awareness and sensitization activities regarding the Japanese Encephalitis Supplemental Immunization Program for community health workers (puskesmas) and the local community.
“The aim of this awareness and sensitization activity is to increase public understanding of the benefits of immunization and the importance of routine immunization for children’s health,” said Bantul Health Office’s Disease Management Division (Kabid) Chief Samsu Aryanto when they met on the sidelines of the awareness-raising in Bantul on Thursday.
According to him, the additional immunization against Japanese encephalitis in Bantul regency, along with districts and cities in DIY province, is the third implementation after Bali province in 2018 and West Kalimantan in 2023.
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He said that immunization against Japanese encephalitis in Bantul will be carried out at immunization posts prepared by each community health center and will be carried out from September 3 to October 31, 2024.
“The target group is children from nine months to under 15 years. With an estimated target of 205,078 children,” he said.
In addition, he said, one dose of vaccination against Japanese encephalitis will be given to 10-month-old children, according to the routine immunization schedule starting in November 2024.
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He explained that Japanese encephalitis is an inflammatory disease of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus and transmitted by mosquitoes, and is a major health problem in Indonesia.
The symptoms of this disease are sudden high fever, convulsions, muscle stiffness, weakness in the limbs and decreased consciousness for about one to three weeks and even death may occur.
“Mortality rate (CFR) for this disease is 11%, with the highest rate in children under 10 years of age. “There is currently no cure, but this disease can be prevented by vaccination,” he said.
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Therefore, his party also hopes that through this advocacy and awareness, they can get support from all levels of government in Bantul so that the implementation of Japanese encephalitis immunization activities can run well and smoothly.
“The support of the panewu (district head) and lurah (village head) and their staff is much needed to increase outreach and education as well as move the immunization targets forward,” she said.
Journalist: Hery Sidik
Publisher: Bambang Sutopo Hadi
Copyright © MidLand 2024
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