Vaccination Must Wait For BPOM Permit Even Though Sinovac Has Arrived In Indonesia

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 vaccine made by Sinovac from China arrived in Indonesia tonight via Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang. The number of vaccines that arrived was 1.2 million doses. Although vaccines already exist, the vaccination process cannot be carried out.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the vaccination process is still waiting for an emergency use of authorization permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

"We are very grateful, alhamdulillah, the vaccine is available. This means that we can immediately prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. But to start vaccination still requires steps from the BPOM," he said, quoted from a live broadcast on the YouTube account of the Presidential Secretariat, Sunday, 6 December.

Jokowi said there are several stages of the procedure that must be followed before the start of vaccination. First, the importance of maintaining public health and safety as well as the effectiveness of the vaccine until the results of the phase III clinical trial of the vaccine.

"I emphasize, first, all procedures must be followed properly in order to ensure public health and safety, as well as vaccine effectiveness. Scientific considerations, the results of this clinical trial will determine when vaccination can be started," he said.

Second, said Jokowi, the vaccine distribution system to the regions must also be prepared. Including, supporting equipment, human resources and vaccination management.

"We know that it has been prepared since several months ago through simulations in several provinces and I am sure that after it was decided that vaccination was started, everything was ready," he explained.

Third, Jokowi said, it is not possible to vaccinate all residents simultaneously. "I hope all parties follow the announcement and instructions from officers who are currently preparing vaccinations," he said.

"Lastly. Even though the vaccines already exist we still have to be disciplined in running the program, always discipline 3M (wearing masks, keeping our distance and washing hands), we must continue to do it. May God Almighty bless us all to get through this epidemic," he said. .