Jakarta, March 6 -- Indonesia's Health Ministry on Friday assured the public that the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine used in the national immunization program is safe and effective, urging people not to worry about side effects as measles cases continue to be monitored across the country.

The ministry said the vaccine has received distribution approval from the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) and has undergone rigorous evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Lucia Rizka Andalusia, director general for pharmaceuticals and medical devices at the ministry, called on the public to remain confident in the vaccines used in the national vaccination program, particularly for measles prevention.

"Do not worry about the vaccines ...