I would like to reiterate that Russia is ready to cooperate with Indonesia in the production and distribution of the (Sputnik V) vaccine.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Russia has affirmed its readiness to cooperate with Indonesia in the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

Russia is developing three COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including Sputnik V, which has entered third phase clinical trials, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobieva, said here on Wednesday.

She said Russia is planning to conduct mass immunization against COVID-19 at the end of this year, and expressed the hope that the Sputnik V vaccine would be used by partner countries to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to reiterate that Russia is ready to cooperate with Indonesia in the production and distribution of the (Sputnik V) vaccine,” she said.

Vorobieva said Russia supports Indonesia's stand that all countries, either small or large, are entitled to an equal access to COVID-19 vaccines.

"We are also ready to cooperate with Indonesia in this aspect. We have submitted all proposals to the relevant authorities in Indonesia and a number of companies have also expressed keen interest. Consultations and discussions are under way," she informed.

However, she stopped short of revealing the Indonesian companies who will potentially cooperate with Russia. Russia is awaiting the Indonesian government's official response to the proposals, she said.

The Sputnik V vaccine is currently in the third phase of clinical trials. About 40 thousand people from Russia and other countries such as Brazil, India, and Belarus are participating in the trials.

Vorobieva said Russia is also developing two other COVID-19 vaccines: Vektor, which is currently in the second phase of clinical trials, and EpVac, which is in the first phase of clinical trials.

Indonesia has established cooperation with a number of countries, including China, South Korea, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates, for developing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines.

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Translator: Aria Cindyara/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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