In an effort to enhance public health resilience amidst current global challenges, health centers and research institutions are collaborating to conduct a series of activities aimed at strengthening the role of vaccination in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
On Monday, April 29, 2024, the Center of Health Behaviour and Promotion Department FK-KMK UGM, in collaboration with the Department of Health Behavior, Environment, and Social Medicine, Tulodo, and the University of Sydney, held a guest lecture entitled “Building Resilience: Vaccines as Pillars of Public Health” in Yogyakarta.
There were four keynote speakers at this guest lecture, namely Prof. Dra. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, M.Si., Ph.D., as the Head of the Department of Health Behaviour and Promotion FK-KMK UGM, Dr. Dra. Retna Siwi Padmawati, M.A., as the Head of the Master’s Program in Bioethics FK-KMK UGM, Prof. Julie Leask, as a professor in the field of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, and Nicholas J. Goodwin., PhD., as the CEO of Tulodo.
In the first lecture session, Prof. Yayi stated that there are three important roles of health promotion in the context of vaccination. First, health promotion can help reduce the rates of infection, morbidity, and mortality from diseases by increasing awareness of the importance of vaccination. Second, health promotion has the potential to empower communities to strengthen social infrastructure that supports health. Third, health promotion can also contribute to the economic aspect by saving costs, increasing productivity, and reducing the impact of diseases on families.
However, despite the proven scientific importance of vaccination, Indonesia still faces challenges in increasing vaccination acceptance rates. One of the main factors is vaccine hesitancy among the public. This is due to various factors, including negative perceptions of vaccine side effects, lack of understanding of the benefits of vaccination, and concerns about vaccine ingredients related to religious beliefs.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy requires strong health promotion actions to overcome these challenges. This includes efforts to improve communication, build trust, and increase awareness of the benefits of vaccination. Experts also highlight the importance of involving various stakeholders, from industry, organizations, communities, to governments, in these health promotion efforts.
In addressing vaccine hesitancy, “There are seven intervention strategies that can be undertaken by health promotion, namely building trust, reducing complacency, eliminating barriers, providing risk-benefit information, emphasizing collective responsibility, ensuring compliance, and addressing potential conspiracy theories,” explained Prof. Yayi.
Furthermore, by presenting the results of her research in the second lecture session related to vaccine hesitancy, Dr. Dra. Retna explained the current situation and issues related to vaccines in society today. She emphasized that improving vaccine hesitancy is not easy and requires time and patience. This process is recognized as a long journey that requires support from various parties, including the application of local wisdom and approaches that are appropriate to local cultures. Additionally, the need for managing trauma and negative experiences related to vaccines in society is also a focus in efforts to increase vaccine acceptance.
By involving various parties and adopting a holistic approach, it is hoped that Indonesia can overcome the challenges associated with vaccine hesitancy and build a more resilient community in facing the threats of infectious diseases.
Regarding local wisdom, Prof. Julie in the third lecture session, highlighted one of Javanese cultures, namely the Sumping accessory. Sumping is an ear clamp accessory in Javanese traditional clothing. The clamped ears symbolize the philosophy that as humans, we should not listen to and digest something bad blindly. Human life, living side by side, requires self-defense. Humans will always hear both good and bad things. Although negative words cannot be completely avoided from human hearing, one must be able to control oneself in responding to whatever is heard.
Utilizing local advice and wisdom that hold their own meaning and strength in mobilizing communities is considered more effective in building positive habits and perspectives towards vaccines. This is in line with the opinion of Nicholas J. Goodwin., PhD., in the final lecture session, that the issue of vaccine hesitancy and low vaccine uptake is not a trivial issue but a behavioral issue that must be addressed gradually and consistently. Utilizing local cultural points, community beliefs, and local wisdom can act as a catalyst in accelerating the building of community trust, including towards vaccines and their long-term positive impacts.
