Meeting Minister Of Health Terawan, Ma'ruf Amin Affirms That Halal Vaccines From China Do Not Hinder

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin (DOK. Antara)

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin met with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Panjaitan, as the coordinator for handling COVID-19, and the Minister of Health, Terawan Putranto. The Vice President together with Luhut and Terawan discussed the preparations for the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine from China in November.

Spokesperson for Vice President Masduki Baidlowi said at the meeting Ma'ruf emphasized that the halalness of vaccines was not the main problem that would complicate the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine from China.

"So (the matter of halalness) will not hinder anything. That is what the vice president explained, so there should not be any assumption that the halal vaccine process will hamper it, because it does not at all hinder," said Baidlowi as quoted by Antara, Friday, October 2.

To the two ministers, Ma'ruf Amin said that the halalness of vaccines is indeed important to be ascertained before distribution to the public. However, in a health emergency during a pandemic, a vaccine that is not halal can be given.

"So the vice president explained that if the vaccine is halal then it is good, there is no problem; but if for example it is not halal then it does not matter because it is in an emergency condition, so then it is not a problem to use it. the condition is an emergency, "explained Baidlowi.

Previously, Minister of Health Terawan said that giving the Covid-19 vaccine would prioritize medical personnel, soldiers and police, and all those who were directly involved in handling the pandemic during the pandemic.

The plan is for government representatives to leave for China in November to check the 3 million COVID-19 vaccines that will be sent to Indonesia in the first phase.