Jakarta: Indonesia has officially brought an end to its poliovirus type-2 outbreak, with the World Health Organization (WHO) confirming that the virus has not been detected in children or environmental samples since June 2024. The declaration marks a major public health achievement for the country, which had faced years of low immunisation coverage.
The announcement was made on November 19 after the government and global health partners launched a nationwide emergency vaccination drive. Nearly 60 million additional doses of the polio vaccine were administered, according to WHO data.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin credited the milestone to healthcare workers, parent participation and international support. He urged the country to maintain high vigilance, warning that regions with low immunisation rates remain vulnerable. He stressed that complete age-appropriate vaccination for all children is essential to prevent the disease from resurfacing.
WHO’s Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, said Indonesia’s success strengthens the region’s long-standing polio-free status. He encouraged continued surveillance and preparedness across all countries.
The outbreak began in Aceh in October 2022 and later spread to several provinces, with the last case recorded on June 27, 2024. The government responded with repeated vaccination rounds using the novel OPV-2 (nOPV2) vaccine and expanded routine immunisation. Coverage for the second dose of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) improved from 63 percent in 2023 to 73 percent in 2024.
In October 2025, the country also introduced a hexavalent vaccine combining DPT-HB-Hib with IPV, offering immunity against six diseases in a single injection. The rollout began in Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, Bali and several Papua provinces, with nationwide expansion planned for next year.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative conducted independent assessments in 2023, 2024 and 2025, concluding that Indonesia met all criteria needed for outbreak closure.
UNICEF Indonesia Representative Maniza Zaman said the achievement demonstrated the strength of collective action, noting that continued momentum is crucial to ensure every child receives essential vaccines.
The Health Ministry said it will enhance routine immunisation, community engagement and disease surveillance to prevent any resurgence of the virus.
