Do Not Worry! The Existing Vaccines Can Fight Coronavirus B117 Mutation

COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito (Photo: BNPB dock)

JAKARTA - The government urges the public not to worry about the new mutation of Coronavirus or B117. The government ensures that the COVID-19 vaccine currently in use is still effective against this mutation of the virus from England.

"No need to worry about the impact of the emergence of the B117 mutation on the efficacy of the vaccine", said Wiku Adisasmito, spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force in Jakarta, Thursday, March 4.

According to Wiku, the virus can continue to mutate along with the high rate of transmission in the community. It will also be a challenge for researchers to develop analytical epidemiological studies.

Even though it was common, said Wiku, the presence of the new virus has been immediately taken care of quickly considering that Indonesia has not yet free from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Researchers continue to carry out further research on what new mutations emerged so that we understand what the implications of these mutations are and the solutions for dealing with them", explained Wiku.

Therefore, Wiku reminded the public to stick to the strict 5M health protocol (wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, and reducing mobility).

"This protocol is mandatory. Therefore, all levels of society must obey it", he concluded.

As previously reported the government had confirmed the discovery of the mutation of the B117 coronavirus, exactly a year when it first announced a positive case of corona in Indonesia. The new variant B117 is reportedly 40-70 percent more infectious compared to the initial variant found in Wuhan, China.