"The (vaccine) results will be even better by involving numerous countries," he said in a statement received here on Tuesday.
He said he believes that partnerships with a number of countries could yield a vaccine that is a match for Indonesian genes.
"The genetics of Indonesians are unique and we need a complimenting COVID-19 vaccine that can suit us to ensure that it is safe for our health as well as regarding long-term effects," Jafar explained.
The former Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration also lauded Indonesian ministers who have made visits to several countries to secure COVID-19 vaccines.
He said he hopes the ministers' visits to Europe and a number of countries in Asia produce fruitful results for both the health sector as well as economic recovery.
He further said there needs to be a clear delineation when it comes to cooperation between business to business or government to government interests, or a combination of both. Indonesia can also procure vaccines for humanitarian interests, he added.
"The interest must be clear between Government to Government or Business to Business, or a combination of the two. Health recovery is very urgent, apart from economic and social recoveries in each country," he said, adding that the World Health Organization needs to be transparent when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines.
It has previously been reported that Indonesia is striving to develop its indigenous Red and White vaccine, even though that would involve a prolonged process, on account of the increasingly urgent need for an anti-virus.
In order to ensure the availability of vaccines for Indonesians, the government has secured partnerships for vaccine procurement with several countries, including China. The collaboration with China involves three vaccine producers — Sinovac, Sinopharm, and CanSino.
Indonesia has also established vaccine partnerships with the United Arab Emirates' G42 and Great Britain's AstraZeneca. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Anom Prihantoro/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Suharto
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