Jakarta: Indonesia has officially ended its circulating poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak after administering nearly 60 million additional vaccine doses to children, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin announced on Friday. He stated that no poliovirus had been detected in children or the environment since June 2024, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the outbreak over on November 19.

According to Philippines News Agency, Sadikin praised the dedication of health workers, parents, communities, and partners who supported the nationwide vaccination effort. "Every child deserves protection. We must ensure polio does not return by keeping routine immunization complete and age-appropriate," he said in a statement. He reminded that Indonesia must remain vigilant, as gaps in immunization coverage persist in several provinces and continue to pose risks.

With the outbreak officially closed, he added, the government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining Indonesia's polio-free status through stronger routine immunization, enhanced surveillance, cross-sector collaboration, and community participation. WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Saia Ma'u Piukala called Indonesia's achievement a crucial milestone toward a polio-free world.

Indonesia recorded its first cVDPV2 case in Aceh in October 2022. Subsequent cases appeared in Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, North Maluku, Central Papua, Highland Papua, and South Papua. The last case was confirmed in South Papua on June 27, 2024.