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

“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.

BPOM head Penny Lukito said that the clinical trial in Bandung went smoothly.

Penny also assured the public that the vaccine has met the halal standards following a recent examination jointly conducted by BPOM, Bio Farma, and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

Indonesia has also committed to procuring vaccines with other vaccine makers such as Sinopharm in collaboration with G42 in the United Arab Emirates, CanSino, and AstraZeneca.

(Writer: Rakhmat Nur Hakim | Editors: Kristian Erdianto, Icha Rastika)

Sources: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/06/22485551/12-juta-dosis-vaksin-covid-19-buatan-sinovac-tiba-di-indonesia.

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/07/05211201/meski-vaksin-covid-19-sudah-tersedia-jokowi-minta-protokol-kesehatan-tetap.