JAKARTA - The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) asked Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto to apply the precautionary principle in preparing for the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Chairman of the PB IDI COVID-19 Task Force, Zubairi Djoerban, said that the selection of vaccines to be provided and preparations related to their implementation needed to be well prepared.
"This preparation is in accordance with the President's instructions not to carry out this vaccination program and start hastily," said Zubairi in a written statement, "Thursday, October 22.
Zubairi said, there are absolute conditions that must be met in choosing the type of vaccine. The vaccine to be used must have proven its effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety.
"This is evidenced by the good results through the published phase 3 clinical trials," said Zubairi.
Zubairi said the government could reflect on the Sinovac vaccination trial in Brazil. Trials have been completed on 9,000 volunteers. However, the results will only be released as soon as the vaccination is complete for 15,000 volunteers.
"We can see that the precautionary element is also being carried out by other countries while still waiting for more data from the results of phase 3 clinical trials. This also shows that the vaccination program is an important program but cannot be carried out in a hurry," he explained.
Furthermore, Zubairi said that BPOM as the party evaluating vaccine protocols to vaccine inspections needs to pay attention to the safety, effectiveness and immunogenicity of a vaccine, including if forced to use the EUA scheme.
"We are sure that BPOM will maintain its independence and professionalism," he said.
It is known that President Joko Widodo shared the duties of the vaccination process with Minister of Health (Menkes) Terawan Agus Putranto and Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir. Terawan, will take care of the vaccine for free. Meanwhile, Erick will be assigned to take care of paid or independent vaccines.
Currently, there are several types of vaccines prepared by the government, including Sinopharm, Cansino, Astrazeneca, and the Red and White vaccine.
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