First Lady Launches National Polio Immunization Week Campaign

First Lady Iriana Widodo, accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture as well as Minister of Health Nila F. Moeloek, drops polio vaccine in Mojosongo, Solo, Central Java, on Tuesday (8/3)

First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo on Tuesday morning (8/3) at Taman Cerdas in Mojosongo, Solo, Central Java, officially launched the 2016 National Polio Immunization Week (Pekan Imunisasi National/PIN).

On that occasion, Iriana dropped a dose of oral polio vaccine into the mouth of Raga Pendra, a son of Rinto Jainudi, a resident at Mojosongo residential complex.

Minister of Health Nila F Moeloek, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani and Chairperson of Central Java PKK (Family Welfare Movement) Atiqoh Ganjar Pranowo also dropped the vaccines to other children.

In her remarks, Puan asserted that the National Polio Immunization Week campaign is very important as a mitigation effort to give optimal vaccination against polio in Indonesia.

She also said that the national polio vaccination campaign is simultaneously conducted from 15 March 2016 all over Indonesia, except in Yogyakarta Province and Bali Province, by setting up 300,000 vaccination posts all over the country.

Puan also said that the Government hopes that through the campaign, Indonesia can maintain its polio-free status and give contribution to create the world of being polio-free by 2020.

“We hope that this campaign can bring benefits so that Indonesia can maintain its polio-free status and give contribution to create the world of being polio-free by 2020,” the Minister said, adding that all infants must be given polio vaccine, so that they are immune to polio.

She also said the target of the vaccination is children aged 0–59 months as the most vulnerable group from polio.

“With polio immunization, we want to create a healthier and better quality generation who are free from disability because of polio,” she added.

The National Polio Immunization Week campaign, Puan added, is also part of the humankind’s big struggle to fight polio; thus, she said, it takes commitment from all stakeholders and the public to take part in making the campaign a success.

“I call on everyone to make efforts and give support for the success of this campaign. I also call on parents all over Indonesia to bring your children under five years of age to the nearest vaccination post to receive polio vaccine,” the Minister concluded. (Humas Kemenko PMK/ES)