Good News, Indonesia Gets 2 Million Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine From Japan

Illustration of a COVID-19 vaccination. (Wikimedia Commons/Annalyn Gallego/Province of Camarines Sur)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is planned to receive 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from Japan. The plan, the delivery of this vaccine will be carried out in two separate stages. In addition, Indonesia is exploring the issue of therapeutic drug cooperation.

This news came after a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, as well as with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar separately in Bari, Italy, Monday 28 June.

"My communication with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi focused on the issue of vaccine doses sharing. As a result of intensive communication, Japan will donate around 2 million doses of the finished COVID-19 vaccine for Indonesia," Foreign Minister Retno explained in a statement Tuesday, June 29.

"(The delivery), one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine is planned to arrive on July 1, 2021. Meanwhile, the second shipment is scheduled to arrive in mid-July 2021," continued Foreign Minister Retno.

In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, the two foreign ministers are also exploring cooperation with Japan in the field of therapeutic drugs. Foreign Minister Retno said Foreign Minister Motegi would look into the possibility of cooperation in providing therapeutic drugs needed by Indonesia.

Regarding therapeutic drugs, Foreign Minister Retno in a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed hope that the export permits for several therapeutic drugs from India to Indonesia, which Indonesia currently needs, can be granted a budget.

It is known, the COVID-19 pandemic has made India impose temporary restrictions on the export of vaccines and medicines abroad, considering that India is also struggling to deal with the pandemic.

"Indonesia's request is considered positively by India and Indonesia has conveyed the details of the medicines needed at this time," he said.

As previously reported, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is currently in Italy, to attend the G20 Summit which will be held starting today in Italy. In addition to meeting the Japanese and Indian Foreign Ministers, since arriving in Italy, Foreign Minister Retno has continued to hold bilateral talks with a number of foreign ministers, such as the Canadian Foreign Minister, Italian Foreign Minister, Brunei Darussalam Foreign Minister, Singapore and Spain.