The Use Of The Red And White Vaccine As A Booster Needs Further Clinical Trials

ILLUSTRATION DOC VIA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Main Researcher of the Red and White Vaccine at Airlangga University, Dominicus Husada, said that the Red and White vaccine can be used for booster purposes but must go through further clinical trials, different from what is currently underway.

"It can be used for various things. It can be used for primary use, it can be used as a booster, it can be used for teenagers, children," said the Principal Researcher of the Merah Putih Vaccine, Dominicus, as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 11.

However, to use the Merah Putih vaccine as a booster requires a different clinical trial from what is currently underway. Currently, the Merah Putih vaccine is in phase 3 clinical trials for primary use which began at the end of June.

After completing phase 3, a distribution permit will be applied for from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). After that, only further clinical trials for boosters can be carried out.

"The booster clinical trial exists alone, not now," said the Head of the Red and White Vaccine Clinical Test Team at Airlangga University.

The Red and White Vaccine, which is the result of a collaboration between Airlangga University and PT Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia, has started a phase 3 clinical trial marked by a kick off at the Airlangga University Faculty of Medicine Hall, Surabaya in East Java on June 27, 2022.

Phase 3 clinical trials are planned to involve 4,005 subjects and carried out in collaboration with five hospitals, namely RSUD dr. Soetomo Surabaya, UNAIR Surabaya Hospital, dr. Saiful Anwar Malang, Jember Lung Hospital and dr. Soebandi Jember.

Apart from being used in primary vaccinations, the Merah Putih vaccine is also encouraged to be used as a booster and vaccination for children to get communal immunity (herd immunity) from COVID-19.

The vaccine is targeted to start production this year, after previously obtaining an emergency use permit from BPOM.