VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Maxi Rein, said that the Meningitis vaccine certificate will be integrated into the PeduliLindung application. The plan responds to the scarcity of Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine (MM) which is an obstacle for prospective Indonesian Umrah pilgrims.

“In the future, the MM vaccination certificate will also be integrated with Peduli Protect. Just like the Covid-19 vaccine certificate," said Maxi in an official statement, quoted by RRI.co.id, Friday (30/9/2022).

He said the MM vaccination was an effort to prevent and control meningitis which was needed for prospective Hajj-Umrah pilgrims. "The MM vaccination is listed in the international vaccine certificate issuance document in accordance with the Minister of Health Regulation number 23 of 2018," he said.

To note, the Permenkes was strengthened through the recommendation of the National Immunization Expert Advisory Committee or the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI). The ITAGI recommendation states that all prospective Hajj-Umrah pilgrims are required to receive the MM strain ACW135Y immunization.

Meningitis Vaccine is scheduled 14 days before departure to Saudi Arabia. The minimum tolerance limit is 10 days before departure.

The Ministry of Health has also coordinated with PT Biofarma and BPOM to meet the needs of the MM vaccine. From the results of the coordination carried out, an additional 225,000 doses of MM vaccine have been obtained from PT Biofarma.

In detail, as many as 150,000 doses of vaccine are intended for government compliance, while the remaining 75,000 doses are for private fulfillment. In addition, efforts to ensure the availability of MM vaccine are carried out by encouraging the private sector to be involved. (RRI)