Immunization is a vital investment for a healthy generation, the golden Indonesia generation 2045

Joint News Release

30 April 2025-Every year, countries around the world observe World Immunization Week (WIW) during the last week of April. The global theme for WIW 2025 is “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible”, while Indonesia has adopted the theme “Let’s Complete Immunization for a Healthy Generation Towards a Golden Indonesia”.

The 2025 WIW aims to raise awareness of all population segments and to promote the importance and benefits of immunization in providing optimal protection across all age groups and throughout the life course to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). To commemorate this occasion, Indonesia is organising a series of activities at both national and subnational levels, supported by development partners, professional associations, health associations, print and online media, and influencers.

Activities to promote the importance of immunization and encourage families to complete children's immunization take place in March and April. These initiatives include mass immunization, a catch-up immunization week dubbed “Sepekan Mengejar Imunisasi”, journalism and social media campaign competitions, awards for districts with high immunization coverage, and a series of immunization webinars. The webinars, held through Plataran Sehat, engaged 94 365 participants comprising healthcare workers, non-healthcare professionals, and the general public.

According to WHO data in 2023, the number of children globally who did not receive any vaccines—referred to as zero-dose children—stood at 14.5 million, with Indonesia ranking sixth highest worldwide. Data from 2019–2023 show that approximately 1.3 million Indonesian children had not received their first dose of DPT vaccine. These are not just statistics on paper; they represent real children left unprotected, posing a serious threat to the country if urgent action is not taken.

This week serves as a powerful reminder for us all to be grateful that through immunization, millions of children have been saved from suffering, disability, and even death caused by VPDs. It is tangible proof that immunization not only saves individuals but also safeguards the nation's future.

In her remarks during the 2025 WIW main event held in Lebak District, Banten, supported by the Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI), Acting Director-General for Disease Control, represented by the Director of Immunization, Dr Prima Yosephine, MKM, emphasized that this year's commemoration should serve as momentum to maintain enthusiasm and creativity in line with advances in science and digitalisation. She stressed the importance of continuing to promote complete, accurate information on the importance of immunization to the public. It is recognized that comprehensive, high-quality, and equitable immunization services are crucial to protecting individuals, families, and communities from illness, disability, and death due to VPDs.

"World Immunization Week 2025 is a moment to celebrate Indonesia's progress in protecting millions of lives through vaccines," said Dr N. Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Indonesia. "Under the theme 'Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,' we are responding to the global call to close immunization gaps, particularly in remote and underserved areas. It is time to show that immunization for all Indonesians is not just a goal – it is humanly possible."

"Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have to save lives and prevent disease. Over the past five decades, vaccines have saved 154 million lives worldwide. In Indonesia, UNICEF remains firmly committed to advancing child immunization by working closely with the Ministry of Health and our partners. Continued investment in immunization programmes is essential to sustain these gains," said Maniza Zaman, UNICEF Representative to Indonesia.

The Ministry of Health, together with WHO and UNICEF, urges parents, caregivers, and communities to ensure every child receives their full immunization according to age and national guidelines. Sustained investment in immunization programmes is critical for Indonesia to achieve its national targets and honour its global commitments under the Immunization Agenda 2030.