Indonesia continues to expand immunization services, yet significant gaps persist. Some communities remain under-served, while inconsistencies between administrative reports and survey findings hinder accurate planning. These challenges highlight the need for reliable, population based evidence to guide resources and ensure equitable vaccine access across the country.
To address this, the World Health Organization (WHO) supported the 2025 Indonesia Immunization Coverage Survey, conducted across 38 provinces, which showed that only 56.4% of children aged 12–23 months were fully immunised. Coverage for newer vaccines, including those protecting against pneumococcal disease and rotavirus, fell below 40% outside Java and Bali. In addition, coverage of tetanus toxoid among women also declined sharply, from above 70% for the first dose to under 20% by the fifth dose. The disparities were striking, ranging from more than 95% coverage in North Sulawesi to just 3.6% in Aceh.
According to this survey, vaccine uptake is influenced by factors such as vaccination card ownership, access to services, personal perceptions, and family or community support. However, logistical constraints and limited use of the SatuSehat application continue to undermine completeness and accuracy of reporting. To cope with the challenge, the survey recommends improving completion of full immunization schedules, involving community leaders in public communication, strengthening digital tools, improving logistics, tailoring support for low coverage areas, and expanding demographic analysis to better understand barriers.
WHO further supported Data Quality Assessments to strengthen digital recording systems. The assessment identified weaknesses in the Electronic Immunization Registry that is used by health workers in Indonesia to record children’s immunization, vaccine supplies and cold chain logistics. The assessment showed there is only 79% uniqueness, 43.9% accuracy in date recording and 14.6% timeliness. Meanwhile, data completeness within vaccine stocks reporting reached just 32%. Such sub-optimal quality of information hinders health authorities to identify which communities need additional support or to allocate resources effectively.
Health authorities have used the survey and assessment findings to prioritise provinces with low coverage and to design interventions that have proven effective in increasing uptake. In Banten Province, the assessment results were also utilised to strengthen logistics planning and reporting to prevent vaccine stock outs, which occur when vaccines are unavailable due to delay of updating vaccine stocks.
The Ministry of Health, GAVI and WHO joint team during a monitoring field mission in 2025. Credit: WHO/Olivi Ondchintia Putilala Silalahi
Alongside improved evidence generation, Indonesia is advancing a coordinated national approach to counter the falling immunization coverage. The Ministry of Health, working with WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and other partners, has developed the National Immunization Strategy 2025-2029. This five-year plan focuses on expanding coverage through improved service delivery, introducing new vaccines, strengthening disease surveillance and enhancing supply chain management. An Immunization Technical Working Group now coordinates partner efforts, tracks progress and responds to emerging challenges.
These actions matter because sound evidence and unified national direction help ensure that every child, including those in remote or marginalised communities, can access life saving vaccines. Accurate data prevents hidden gaps that leave populations vulnerable to outbreaks. By improving information systems and ensuring coordinated action, Indonesia is building a more resilient immunization programme capable of protecting the health of future generations.
This activity is supported by the Australian Government and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
Written by Olivi Ondchintia Putilala Silalahi, National Professional Officer (Routine Immunization), WHO Indonesia