Anti-vaxxers and Vaccine Hesitancy Contributing to Measles Outbreaks in Indonesia

JAKARTA: In Sumenep, Madura Island, East Java, an alarming rise in measles cases has been reported, with over 2,000 suspected infections and 17 child fatalities. Every time a free school vaccination drive is organized, a father, known as Benzema, chooses to keep his children at home. Despite various reasons given, the underlying cause is always distrust. Being a 40-year-old small business owner, Benzema harbors skepticism towards vaccines, a sentiment shared by many in the community.