Immunization officers are vital for achieving high, equitable coverage. Yet a 2025 assessment showed that up to 37% of primary healthcare centres (puskesmas) had no trained officers, and more than half of over 10 000 immunization officers reported a lack of accredited training. Staff turnover, cost and distance barriers, and the reservation of certified training for civil-servant officers only help create these gaps.
As part of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s long-standing assistance for the Ministry of Health, strategic and thorough efforts have been conducted in 2025 to solve those challenges. WHO assisted the development of a week-long training programme for immunization managers, replacing the previous unsustainable two-week training, focusing on the implementation level needs. A new three-day training was also developed for vaccinators. WHO supported the online components of both, enabling blended learning and reducing costs. Further, a new training-evaluation tool was developed to address a key gap in Indonesia’s immunization manager training, which previously relied only on pre- and post-tests and lacked a way to assess how learning could be applied in real world settings. These efforts were complemented by short, easy to use video job aids to help sustain the quality of immunization delivery.
Post-immunization matters were also addressed. A training session on adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance for provincial officers followed another for their national-level colleagues. The series of trainings is part of WHO Indonesia’s support for the country’s pursuit of the WHO-Listed Authorities status for vaccines.
Finally, WHO has remained engaged on the ground. Its vaccination technical officers have continued to train more than 1000 puskesmas, health office and hospital staffs from five provinces in 2025. The benefits should extend to their areas of work, which include life-cycle immunization and surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases and AEFI.
WHO’s support in various forms continues to advance Indonesia’s commitment to immunization and to realize the population’s right to health. It also aligns with Immunization Agenda 2030 and national goals for measles–rubella elimination and polio eradication. In all this, WHO understands that health workers are the cornerstone of successful immunization programmes.
This activity is supported by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
Written by Rodri Tanoto, National Professional Officer (New Vaccine), and Chavia Trufani, National Professional Officer (Immunization), WHO Indonesia.