Indonesia trusts science but debates immunization amid measles surge

Despite a high public trust in scientists, Indonesia grapples with a significant immunization crisis, revealing a disconnect between scientific acknowledgment and practical application. A study published in Nature Human Behaviour in January 2025 indicated that Indonesians rated their trust in scientists at 3.84 out of 5, surpassing the global average of 3.62 and aligning with countries like Malaysia and Mexico. However, this trust does not automatically translate into public engagement with scientific agendas or acceptance of scientific advice.

Prof. Yudi Darma from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) noted that the public often feels their voices are unheard, creating a gap between societal expectations and the direction of research. Compounding this, data from the same ministry suggests that much of daily Indonesian life remains distant from science and technology, making the public more susceptible to hoaxes and unsubstantiated information. This environment makes the ongoing struggles with immunization particularly puzzling.

The nation has seen a sharp rise in measles cases throughout early 2026. By February 2026, there were 8,810 suspected cases and 12 outbreaks across six provinces. The first week of 2026 alone saw approximately 2,932 suspected cases, marking a peak. As of early March 2026, the total suspected cases reached 10,453, with 8,372 confirmed. Amidst this surge, the Ministry of Health acknowledged a budget deficit of around 1 trillion Indonesian rupiah for the national immunization program in 2026. Consequently, over 2 million children had not received basic immunization or a "zero dose" by April 2026.

Vaccine hesitancy is a critical hurdle. In Banten, one mother, despite her fear of measles outbreaks, hesitated to vaccinate her four children. Her fear was amplified by social media misinformation linking vaccines to paralysis, coupled with a negative experience where her eldest child had a fever after a BCG vaccine. She opted for nutritional supplements instead. A similar case in Makassar involved a 46-year-old businessman who refused to vaccinate his five children due to concerns about halal status, even though the Indonesian Ulema Council has permitted vaccines for public health since 2018. Drone Emprit's research highlights the pervasive nature of anti-vaccine rhetoric across major Indonesian social media platforms, reaching a substantial audience. While anti-vaccine groups are smaller, they are often more vocal, contributing to the spread of misinformation.