Indonesia Receives 1.2 Million Doses of Covid-19 Vaccine from China’s Sinovac

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The first shipment of Covid-19 vaccine from Chinese drug maker Sinovac has arrived in Indonesia on Sunday, December 6.

In a broadcast message via the Presidential Secretariat’s official YouTube Channel, President Joko Widodo announced that the government has received 1.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from China-based biopharmaceutical Company Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

“I have good news to share. Today [Sunday] the government has received 1.2 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine,” said Jokowi, as the President is popularly known.

Also read: Covid-19 Vaccine from China Will Cost Around $13, Says Indonesia’s Bio Farma

“This vaccine is produced by Sinovac and we have been testing it clinically since August 2020 in Bandung,” Jokowi said, referring to the state-owned pharmaceutical firm Bio Farma head office.

The President said there will be another shipment of 1.8 million doses of vaccine arriving in January 2021.

Besides, 45 million doses will be supplied in the form of raw materials and are expected to arrive in two batches comprising 15 million doses and 30 million doses, respectively.

“The raw materials will be further processed by Bio Farma,” he said, adding that the availability of vaccines can help prevent the spread of the Covid-19.

DW INDONESIA An illustration of Covid-19 vaccine produced by Chinese drug maker Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

Also read: China’s Sinovac Team Monitors Covid-19 Clinical Trials in Indonesia

He urged the people to continue to observe health protocols.

“Even though the vaccines have already arrived, we must be disciplined in complying with health protocols, following the 3M health protocols of mask-wearing, handwashing, and physical distancing,” said Jokowi.

He also said that all parties should follow the announcements and instructions from the relevant officers who are currently preparing the vaccination program as it is not possible to implement it simultaneously for all residents.

The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) will evaluate the vaccine first. “Before a mass inoculation program will take place the vaccine requires an evaluation from the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency [BPOM].” 

Also read: Vaccine Trial Volunteer Tests Positive for Covid-19 in Indonesia’s West Java

Indonesia through Bio Farma has collaborated with China’s Sinovac to conduct the third phase clinical trial in Bandung, West Java. The partnership between the two also involves a team from Padjajaran University in Bandung.