Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – Professor Tri Wibawa, a microbiologist at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), is urging the government to update the influenza vaccine in response to the increased number of influenza cases reported in the country over the past month.
"The influenza vaccine should be renewed every season based on global monitoring results of the circulating virus strains," Tri stated in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The Ministry of Health previously reported a significant surge in influenza cases based on data as of October 9, 2025, noting a 55 percent increase in positive influenza patients in the 40th week alone.
Tri stressed that renewing the vaccine is crucial because the influenza virus is a cause for concern. "This virus has the potential to evolve very dynamically, with the ability to mutate, recombine, and mix genetic variations between strains rapidly," he explained.
The virus's high rate of mutation leads to the emergence of new variants, which subsequently reduce the effectiveness of population immunity, whether derived from vaccination or previous natural infections.
This reduced immunity effectiveness occurs through mechanisms known as antigenic drift and antigenic shift. Tri suspects that the influenza virus emerging after the COVID-19 pandemic represents a different strain than those circulating previously.
According to him, there is a potential that the human body's existing immunity no longer recognizes the new strain, leading to a delayed immune response and an inability to provide adequate protection. This is believed to be a significant factor contributing to the sharp rise in cases.
Tri added that the high mobility of citizens post-COVID-19 and the impact of seasonal changes can also affect the spread pattern, becoming factors that increase the risk of transmission.
Given this situation, Tri emphasized that the government needs to increase awareness of the potential for transmission through various means, including strengthening epidemiological surveillance, increasing influenza vaccination coverage for vulnerable groups, and educating the public on clean living behaviors.
Farindira Vesti Rahmasari, an academic at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta (FKIK UMY), also urged the public not to overlook the importance of influenza and pneumonia vaccines.
She noted that influenza can trigger cases of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI), which have also been reported to increase recently. "This vaccine greatly helps reduce the risk of severe acute respiratory tract infections or ARIs," said Farindira on Wednesday.
She assessed that the increase in ARI cases in various regions of Indonesia, including Yogyakarta, is partly due to increased post-pandemic mobility. She stated that the disease is one of the main causes of death in young children.
Farindira added that the high-risk group is not limited to young children and the elderly, but also includes individuals with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems. She cautioned: "If not properly managed, ARI can develop into serious complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and even respiratory failure."
Initially, respiratory tract infections can develop into lung inflammation, and in severe conditions, the infection can spread to other organs, potentially leading to sepsis. This dangerous condition can cause a decrease in consciousness and even death.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2061662/surge-in-post-covid-flu-cases-prompts-call-for-updated-vaccine