If (we) use the herd immunity formula, then two-thirds, or 180 million of the (Indonesian) population would need to be vaccinated. Since one person would need to be vaccinated twice, we would need at least 360 million doses (of the vaccine).
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Nearly 180 million Indonesians would need to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to achieve herd immunity against the infection, according to Research and Technology Minister, Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro.



“If (we) use the herd immunity formula, then two-thirds, or 180 million of the (Indonesian) population would need to be vaccinated. Since one person would need to be vaccinated twice, we would need at least 360 million doses (of the vaccine),” he said at an online press conference on the development of the COVID-19 vaccine and therapy here on Tuesday.



Hence, if the entire Indonesian population of 270 million has to be vaccinated, then the country will need 540 million doses of vaccine, he noted.



To meet the requirement for the vaccine, the domestic vaccine industry would need to have the capacity to produce 360 million to 540 million doses of vaccine, he pointed out.



It would be impossible for state-owned pharmaceutical firm PT Bio Farma to fulfill this requirement as its production capacity is currently pegged at 250 million doses per year, he explained.



To scale up vaccine production, the Research and Technology Ministry has cooperated and negotiated with several private pharmaceutical companies that are prepared to invest in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, he informed.



The companies include PT Kalbe Farma, PT Sanbe Farma, PT Daewoong Pharmaceutical Company Indonesia, PT Biotis, and Tempo Scan.



“Several of them have made investments and handled permits with BPOM (Drug and Food Supervisory Agency), while others are preparing investment plans and handling permits (with BPOM)," the minister said.



In addition to developing a vaccine on its own, Indonesia has also secured commitment from foreign pharmaceutical firms for supply of vaccines.



While the companies have offered to supply vaccines in complete form, the Indonesian government will prioritize cooperation involving the transfer of technology, including putting the vaccine sent from abroad into bottles for the purpose of vaccination.



“We have established cooperation not only with China and AstraZeneca, but also with Korea and Turkey. In essence, we are encouraging cooperation in favor of Indonesia,” he said.


Related news: Bio Farma can produce 16-17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine a month

Related news: Indonesia keen to join COVAX Initiative





Translator: Martha Herlinawati S/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020