JAYAPURA – The Health Office of Papua has begun to socialize the second dose of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Immunization or IPV2.

According to the Head of the Papua Health Office, Robby Kayame, the second dose of IPV is very important for children because all children must be immunized or at least 90%.

"Because if only a few children are immunized, children who are not immunized will transmit polio to other children. If there is transmission, there will be a mutation of the polio virus and there will be more cases," said Robby after launching IPV2 immunization, in Jayapura on Wednesday (12/7/2023).

According to him, the second dose of IPV is given at the age of 9 months along with Measles-Rubella immunization. Thus, the launch of IPV2 does not only complete the entire series of polio immunization doses needed but also expected as a part of efforts to strengthen the national immunization program as a whole.

"The point is that giving two or more types of immunization is safe. The introduction of IPV2 immunization has begun to be implemented in DKI Jakarta, West Java and Banten Provinces since 2022."

"So, the implementation of IPV2 will be carried out in all regions of Indonesia including Papua. IPV2 immunization can be obtained at the nearest Health Public Services or Integrated Service Center for free. This immunization is very beneficial. So, don't be afraid and don't delay," Robby said.

Robby added that the Provincial Health Office of Papua has prepared all the necessary vaccines. In addition, his party will continue to socialize with health workers in Papua in readiness for implementation.

"Maintaining Polio eradication status in Indonesia is a big challenge to realize a Polio-Free World. Indonesia has committed to achieving global targets, one of which is Polio Eradication in the world by 2026," he said.

Head of Surveillance and Immunization of Papua Provincial Health Office of Papua, Elianus Tabuni revealed, the IPV2 immunization design followed the findings of Polio cases in Indonesia after 2014 was declared polio-free.

"Indonesia has been declared Polio-free in 2014 together with WHO member countries in the Southeast Asian region. However, 5 years later it appeared in Papua, then Aceh and West Java. So it is considered necessary to have two doses of immunization," he said. ***