In November 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Indonesia is officially free from type-2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). This declaration came after the country reported no cases of polio virus in children or the environment since June 2024.
The WHO mandates that a country must remain polio-free for a minimum of three years, demonstrating no cases of wild poliovirus. Additionally, countries need to maintain robust immunization programs, effective surveillance systems, and rapid response mechanisms for any suspected cases.
In 2022, an outbreak of cVDPV type 2 emerged in Aceh Province, Indonesia. In response, the Indonesian government carried out two rounds of nationwide vaccination using the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) from 2022 to 2024. Measures taken included increasing the routine immunization coverage for the second dose of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) from 63% to 73% by 2024. To further enhance preventive measures, Indonesia also introduced a hexavalent vaccine that protects against six diseases, including polio.
According to WHO's polio transition report, Indonesia ceased indigenous wild poliovirus transmission in 1995 and was certified as wild-polio free in 2014.
Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a highly contagious disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily affecting children under 5 years of age. Although treatable, it is preventable through vaccination. The virus primarily attacks the nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis or even death in severe cases.
Polio spreads mainly through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water, and less frequently through saliva or personal contact. There are two main types of polio:
Vaccination efforts include the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), which contains a live weakened virus to halt its spread, and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), which comprises a killed virus to provide strong individual immunity.
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