The Indonesian government has initiated various efforts to secure access to a Covid-19 vaccine.
Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, who also helms the national economic recovery and Covid-19 response team, said in a virtual meeting on Monday that the government aimed to secure 320 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
When asked about its halal status, Airlangga explained that the government had consulted with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to ensure the vaccine would receive halal certification.
He added that Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and Foreign Ministesr Retno LP Marsudi were currently preparing the first 50 million doses of a vaccine.
Airlangga also said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had signed Presidential Regulation No. 99/2020 on vaccine procurement. When asked about the status of the vaccine candidate currently being developed by Sinovac in partnership with Bio Farma, he replied that the result would be released in December, according to the plan.
In addition to developing vaccines, the government has also discussed vaccine procurement with other pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Based on the plans, Airlangga said he was certain the government would have a sufficient vaccine supply for the country.
This article was first published in Asia One . All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
