Before Being Injected With The COVID-19 Vaccine, Ridwan Kamil Underwent A Swab Test

JAKARTA - West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil will undergo a physical examination and a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab test before the injection of the COVID-19 vaccine or placebo is carried out.

"If the result is negative, three days later, the governor will undergo the injection process. The governor's clinical trial process cannot be covered directly by the media," said the Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau of the West Java Provincial Secretariat (Setda) Hermansyah as reported by Antara, Monday, 24 August.

The schedule for the injection of the COVID-19 vaccine or placebo for the Governor of West Java (Jabar) Ridwan Kamil is out. The governor who is familiarly called Kang Emil will start a series of clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac on Tuesday, August 25.

Hermansyah stated that Kang Emil's participation as a clinical trial volunteer was to convince the public that vaccine clinical trials were carried out scientifically.

"The government gives the best to the community through the process we have been waiting for, namely the COVID-19 vaccine," he said.

While waiting for the clinical trial phase to be completed and the COVID-19 vaccine to be produced, Hermansyah asked the public to be disciplined in applying health protocols. Because, the best way to fight COVID-19 right now is to wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands with soap.

"Implementation of health protocols, discipline in wearing masks, maintaining distance, adopting clean and healthy living habits (PHBS) are mandatory requirements before the COVID-19 vaccine is found," he said.

Spokesperson for the Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial team at the University of Padjadjaran (Unpad), Rodman Tarigan, said that during the clinical trial, volunteers conducted five research visits. At the first visit, volunteers will receive an explanation of the clinical trial flow and swab tests.

"The test results will be announced in two to three days. If the test results are positive, volunteers cannot participate in clinical trials. If the results are negative, they can participate in the next research process," said Rodman.

On the second visit, said Rodman, volunteers will return to take physical health tests and rapid tests. If the test results meet the requirements and the results of the rapid test are inactive, an injection of the COVID-19 vaccine or placebo can be done.

"Each injection has a reaction within 30 to 40 minutes. So, we provide a place to observe. If there are no symptoms, volunteers can go home," he said.

Rodman said the second injection of the vaccine will be carried out two weeks later. Then, volunteers are required to undergo two more visits to determine the vaccine's reaction to health conditions. If a reaction occurs, such as fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat, volunteers are asked to report to the clinical trial team.

"The health condition of the volunteers will be monitored intensively by the clinical trial team," he said.

The clinical trial process for the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccine will run for six months or until the end of 2020. If it goes well, the plan for the Sinovac vaccine will receive distribution permits and be mass produced in early 2021.