Have You Been Vaccinated? The Government Borrowed IDR 6.5 Trillion From ADB To Buy Additional Vaccines

Joko Widodo's prediction when he received the COVID-19 vaccine for the first time. (Photo: Bureau of Credits)

JAKARTA - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has confirmed that it has approved a loan from the Indonesian government worth 450 million US dollars or the equivalent of IDR 6.5 trillion (exchange rate of IDR 14,568) to assist PT Bio Farma in obtaining and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine.

The funds were originally intended to be used for the procurement of at least 65 million additional doses of vaccine for the people of Indonesia.

ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said that the capital received by the Indonesian government was part of the funds disbursed by the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) for a number of developing member countries of ADB to tackle the pandemic with a total value of up to 9 billion US dollars.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very heavy impact on the people of Indonesia. This program will help the government protect lives and restore livelihoods, "he said in an official statement, Wednesday, March 31.

Masatsugu added that the collaborative efforts will help vaccinate millions of people who are socially and economically vulnerable and who have a high risk of infection, as well as for public servants who provide essential services.

"ADB will also help the government and Bio Farma improve logistics management and distribute vaccines more effectively," he said.

In the process of procuring vaccines, ABD and APVAX require at least one of three criteria: vaccines are procured through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX), meet the prequalification requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO), or obtain authorization from strict regulatory authorities (stringent). regulatory authority or SRA).

To note, the government is targeting to give COVID-19 vaccinations to 181.5 million people. This figure is one of the largest vaccination activities in the world.

It is undeniable that the pandemic has had a significant impact on life activities, especially for the poor and vulnerable groups. Around 30 million people in Indonesia have lost their jobs or experienced reduced working hours, resulting in an increase in the poverty rate.

Previously, ADB provided a US $ 3 million Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund grant approved in April 2020 to help the Ministry of Health distribute essential medical equipment and supplies.

"ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, and to continue efforts to eradicate poverty and tackle the pandemic more quickly," Masatsugu concluded.