PKS Reminds Jokowi About Free COVID-19 Vaccine: Don't Sacrifice People's Safety

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Photo: Setkab)

JAKARTA - Member of the PKS DPR faction, Kurniasih Mufidayanti, responded to President Joko Widodo's decision to make the COVID-19 vaccine free. For Mufida, the cost of vaccination for COVID-19 should be free.

However, he said, it was not enough for the government to just focus on the free vaccine narrative. There are other things that must be emphasized, namely the efficacy, quality, and quality of the vaccines to be used.

"The cost of vaccines should be borne by the state. However, before talking for free, the vaccines must be of high quality. Don't sacrifice the health and safety of the Indonesian people," Mufida told VOI, Wednesday, December 16.

According to Mufida, vaccines that will be injected into the public must meet the provisions of WHO. In addition, the government must complete all stages of clinical trials.

Most importantly, when the vaccine is distributed, the vaccine must have obtained an emergency permit or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) as well as an MUI Halal certificate.

"There are many vaccines that are currently in the efficacy test. So, the best and most late efficacy should be compared or according to the specimen with Indonesian society," said Mufida.

"This means that although the cost of the vaccine is covered by the government, the efficacy and quality of the vaccine must be the best for the people," he continued.

After receiving the spotlight from various parties, the government decided that the COVID-19 vaccine for the public was free. This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) through a video statement uploaded on Wednesday, December 16.

The decision to free vaccines was taken after the government heard input from the public and carried out a recalculation of state finances.

"So after receiving input from the public and after recalculating, recalculating state finances, I can say that the COVID-19 vaccine for the public is free. There is no charge at all," Jokowi said in a video statement uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account.