Collaborating With Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Erick Thohir Targets Independent Vaccination Of 10 Million People

Minister of BUMN, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of BUMN)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), through PT Bio Farma has signed a cooperation agreement with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) regarding the implementation of mutual cooperation or independent vaccination activities. The goal is to accelerate the target herd immunity or group immunity.

BUMN Minister Erick Thohir said that through this cooperation the government opens opportunities for private companies to participate in the vaccination program. The method is through providing free vaccines for employees and their family members.

"The mutual aid vaccine program is targeted to target 10.1 million people", he said in a webinar at the University of Indonesia, Thursday, March 25.

Erick hopes that with the help of private entrepreneurs in this vaccination program, herd immunity in Indonesia can be achieved soon.

Previously, Erick confirmed that the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine to be used for the independent vaccination program came from BUMN. The purchase process is required by the government to domestic private companies.

According to government records, the private sector needs 7.5 million doses of vaccine. Even so, the government will only be able to provide 3.5 million doses in March 2021. The target is that independent vaccination will also be carried out in March 2021.

"It's free but involves the private sector. They buy it from the government or BUMN and distribute it to workers in private companies", said Erick.

Entrepreneurs who are members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have confirmed that they will guarantee the costs of the mutual aid vaccine or independent vaccine. This means that the cost of vaccination will not be borne by employees but will be borne by employers.

Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, explained that the price of mutual aid vaccines will be set by the government. However, not for commercialization.

Meanwhile, said Shinta, the procurement of vaccines will be carried out by PT Bio Farma as the holding for pharmaceutical SOEs. Later, entrepreneurs will buy the vaccine.

"The goal is for the company to finance its employees to be vaccinated, so there is no element of commercialization", said Shinta.

Shinta said that employers have the role of buying vaccines and then injecting them into workers or employees. The companies participating in this program are voluntary and not required.

"So the company pays for its employees to get vaccines for free. This is optional. You don't have to follow this program", she said.