Halal concerns drive vaccine hesitancy as Indonesia fights measles outbreak
4 hours ago
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- Health workers in Sumenep, Indonesia, are conducting door-to-door measles vaccinations to combat an outbreak.
- The measles outbreak on Madura Island has infected over 2,600 children and caused 20 deaths in nine months.
- Vaccine hesitancy persists due to concerns about pork-derived gelatin stabilizers, deemed haram (forbidden) by Islamic standards.
- Indonesian religious leaders ruled in 2018 that such vaccines can be used temporarily for public health benefits.
- Some Muslim parents refuse vaccines on religious grounds, despite health risks.
- The regional government has distributed over 78,000 vaccines through clinics, homes, and schools to curb the outbreak.
- Measles vaccination rates in Indonesia have fallen below targets, increasing outbreak risks.
- Global measles vaccination rates remain below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
- Despite hesitations, some parents are vaccinating their children after witnessing severe measles cases.