Indonesia to Launch Homegrown Covid-19 Vaccine Soon

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia is soon to introduce its homegrown Covid-19 vaccine developed by state-run pharmaceutical firm Bio Farma, a top official said on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has given a name to the vaccine, but did not elaborate.

“The name of the vaccine has been given by the President, but I can’t disclose it to you due to the procedure of its copyright and other things that need to be further checked,” said Erick.

The vaccine is produced by Bio Farma in collaboration with US medical school Baylor College of Medicine.

Erick said the ministry is still waiting for the issuance of the Emergency Use Authorization (UAE) for the homegrown vaccine.

Also read: Jokowi Says Covid Vaccine Supply Adequate, Urges Eligible Indonesians to Get Booster Shots

“We are still waiting [for the approval] as the EUA will be given next week or in the next two weeks,” said Erick.

He said Indonesia is still importing Covid-19 vaccines. The government either receives the vaccines through cooperation with other countries or buys the vaccines from foreign pharmaceuticals. To get the Covid-19 vaccine, Indonesia should not be dependent on other countries all the time.

The government will discuss the Covid-19 vaccine policy and whether the vaccines remain free of charge or not.

“Whether it remains free or not, I can’t say it now. Certainly, this homegrown vaccine is a self-reliance vaccine, so we don’t have to import continually,” he added.