Indonesia Hopes to Begin Administering Covid-19 Vaccines by November 2020

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia can expect to start Covid-19 vaccinations by November 2020 as the government is finalizing the purchase of vaccines from pharmaceutical companies CanSino Biologics, G42/Sinopharm and Sinovac.

In a press release issued on Monday, October 12, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment said the vaccine quantities from the companies vary, depending on their production capacity and commitment to other buyers.

“CanSino said they can produce 100,000 single dose vaccines this November, followed by 15–20 million doses in 2021. G42/Sinopharm said they can produce 15 million [dual doses] of vaccines by the end of 2020, with 5 million doses prepared for November,” said the ministry.

“Sinovac pledged to deliver 3 million single dose vaccines by the end of December, followed by 15 million doses in bulk.”

Also read: China's Covid-19 Vaccine Brought to Indonesia for Phase 3 Clinical Trials

The ministry added that the companies will step up their production in 2021. “Sinopharm and Sinovac will try to produce 50 million and 125 million dual doses of vaccines respectively, while CanSino will produce 20 million single doses of vaccines.”

The three companies said testing for their vaccines are in the emergency use authorization or third and final stages in a number of countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Peru and Morocco. Of these companies, only Sinovac is holding the third stage in Indonesia.

Aside from CanSino, Sinopharm and Sinovac, Indonesian pharmaceutical company Bio Farma is also a viable source for a vaccine, Indonesian Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said.

Also read: Indonesia Eyes Local Covid-19 Vaccine Mass Production by Mid-2021

"Bio Farma is one of 29 [pharmaceutical companies] from 22 countries that obtained the WHO’s Pre-Qualification certificate,” the former army general said of the state-owned corporation.

“I hope that CanSino, G42/Sinopharm, and Sinovac can cooperate with Bio Farma for a technology transfer, as well as carry out research and clinical testing [of vaccines] with medical research facilities in Indonesia.”

Terawan added that the government “will prioritize [the vaccine] for medical workers and security personnel in the front line of [Indonesia’s] fight against Covid-19, as well as those carrying out public services. Police and military personnel are next, as well as teachers.” The government will cover their vaccination costs if they cannot afford the vaccines, he assured.

(Writer: Dian Erika Nugraheny | Editor: Diamanty Meiliana)

Sources:

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/10/12/14060921/ini-3-produsen-vaksin-covid-19-untuk-indonesia-janjikan-tersedia-pada?page=all#page2.