Medan, September 1, 2025 – The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FK USU), held its 73rd Anniversary Celebration with great solemnity on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the 3rd Floor Hall of the Faculty of Medicine. As part of the commemoration, a scientific oration titled “The Role of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara in Realizing a Healthy and Strong Golden Generation of Indonesia through Immunization” was delivered by dr. Prima Yosephine, M.K.M.

In her oration, she conveyed that the anniversary celebration is not merely a marker of institutional age but also a moment of reflection on FK USU’s contribution to nation-building through health. One of the main focuses highlighted was the importance of immunization as a long-term investment in Indonesia’s future.

“Every rupiah we invest in immunization returns manifold—greater than investments in many other development sectors. Immunization is not only about health but also about efficiency, productivity, and national competitiveness,” she explained. She further noted that immunization has protected more than 700 million children worldwide and saved over 10 million lives. However, Indonesia still faces significant challenges. Data show that in North Sumatra, the coverage for complete routine immunization is only 45.3%, MR1 immunization 51.3%, under-two immunization 33.3%, and new antigen immunization 27.6%. These conditions pose risks to the sustainability of polio eradication, measles-rubella elimination, and neonatal tetanus elimination programs.

“Moreover, Indonesia currently ranks sixth in the world for the number of zero-dose children. In 2024, nearly one million children did not receive their first DPT-HB-Hib dose. This serves as a serious reminder that the reduction targets of 25% by 2025 and 50% by 2030, as set in the Immunization Agenda 2030, must be achieved,” she added. Immunization challenges arise from both supply and demand sides. On the supply side, constraints include suboptimal prioritization by local governments, rapid turnover of healthcare workers, vaccine logistics delays, and inconsistencies in recording and reporting. On the demand side, the greater challenge is public hesitation due to misinformation, fear of side effects, and debates over halal status. The 2025 survey also revealed that many children missed immunizations because parents were unaware of incomplete doses, the child was ill, or the vaccine was unavailable.

“Let’s complete our immunizations — a healthy generation for a Golden Indonesia. There is no reason to delay, no room for doubt. Every drop of vaccine today is a fortress protecting the nation’s future,” she concluded emphatically.