West Java Governor to Roll up Sleeve for Covid-19 Vaccine Trial

BANDUNG, KOMPAS.com – West Java Governor Ridwan “Emil” Kamil said he was ready to receive the shot on Tuesday, August 25 as one of the 2,200 registered volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trials in Indonesia.

Emil is scheduled to take a preliminary test at the Garuda Health Center in Bandung city, about six kilometers from his office, before undergoing the vaccine test at the Faculty of Medicine at Padjajaran University.

He said that he was grateful for the plan of producing the vaccine in the country. He also hoped all clinical trial processes would run smoothly.

Also read: Nearly 2,200 Volunteers Sign Up for Covid-19 Vaccine Trials in Indonesia

“We should be grateful that Indonesia will produce the vaccines, so we will not be buying the coronavirus vaccines but we will produce them through the manufacturer in West Java,” he said.

It was reported that Indonesian vaccine manufacturer PT Bio Farma planned to produce up to 250 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine early next year through a collaboration with biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech Ltd of China.

To stay fit during the vaccine test, the governor said in the past week he maintained his diet and good sleep. He was ready for the vaccine trial although at the beginning there were some concerns, including from the family about the unprecedented test.

Also read: Indonesia’s Bio Farma to Get 50M Doses of Covid-19 Bulk Vaccine Starting November

But he felt better after receiving an explanation from the clinical trial team head at Padjajaran University Kusnandi Rusmil.

He said that he would be accompanied by his wife Atalia Praratya. “My wife was a bit worried. She will accompany me but will not not enter the room.” 

(Writer: Dendi Ramdhani | Editor: Abba Gabrillin)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/08/24/21290911/sebelum-jadi-relawan-uji-vaksin-covid-19-ridwan-kamil-menemui-ibunda?page=2.