"The head of the COVID-19 research and innovation consortium of the Ministry of Research and Technology Prof. Ali Ghufron Mukti forecast that local vaccines would be mass-produced in mid-2021," Dr. Reisa Broto Asmoro of the Task Force for Acceleration of COVID-19 Response (GTPP) stated here on Tuesday.
The vaccine would be prioritized for populations at the highest risk, specifically elderly or those with existing comorbidity. Community groups that fall into this category need to be safeguarded from the COVID-19 pandemic, she remarked.
Indonesia would not be singlehandedly endeavoring to manufacture the vaccine but will collaborate with a South Korean company.
The world has demonstrated a cohesive spirit in the joint battle against the pandemic she affirmed.
Asmoro remarked that of the 15 stages that should necessarily be cleared, the domestically-made candidate vaccines had succeeded in passing eight stages. The subsequent seven stages would require quite a long time to clear.
Although Indonesia is currently striving to create a COVID-19 vaccine, he affirmed that vaccines manufactured in other countries were also required to boost the immunity of people in the country.
Currently, candidate vaccines were in the stage of clinical trials on humans in China, the United States, and Great Britain. Two trials had taken place in Australia, Germany, and Russia.
"This is certainly a positive development and encouraging news from the world of science, especially progress in the field of health technology," she stated.
Asmoro reminded all people to necessarily apply health protocols on an ongoing basis till the time the COVID-19 vaccine is developed and mass-produced.
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Translator: Muhammad Z, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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