We have not yet received the research data of Phase 3 clinical trials of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine conducted in BrazilJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) said it is still waiting for the results of Phase 3 clinical trials of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine in Brazil as it mulls granting it emergency-use authorization.
The agency will combine research data from the Phase 3 clinical trials for the Chinese vaccine candidate in Brazil and Indonesia to determine its safety, effectiveness, and immunogenicity, BPOM head Penny K Lukito said at an online press conference that ANTARA joined from Jakarta on Thursday.
"We have not yet received the research data of Phase 3 clinical trials of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine conducted in Brazil. We often communicate with related authorities there. Like Indonesia, Brazil also conducted Phase 3 clinical trials [for the vaccine],” she informed.
In fact, Brazil commenced trials earlier than Indonesia, she said, adding that the issuance of emergency-use authorization (EUA) must be done by vetting thorough and scientifically measurable data.
The EUA cannot be issued in a hurry because it is closely related to human safety and security, Lukito said.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has said the government would likely commence the first phase of COVID-19 immunization in the third week of December, 2020.
The novel coronavirus disease initially emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019, and spread across the world, including to countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Indonesia made an official announcement on the country's first confirmed cases on March 2 this year.
The Indonesian government has consistently expressed confidence in the potential of COVID-19 vaccines for helping win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has posed a serious threat to public health and the economy.
Over the past few months, the government has made all-out efforts to secure potential COVID-19 vaccines for Indonesians through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The government is also supporting research efforts towards developing the country's own COVID-19 vaccine, Merah Putih (Red and White), named after the colors of the national flag.
Moreover, Indonesia is cooperating with China and the United Kingdom for the procurement and supply of COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
An Indonesian delegation secured access to COVID-19 vaccines from China during a meeting with representatives from Cansino, G42, Sinopharm, and Sinovac in China on October 10 this year.
Related news: Indonesia facing no difficulty in vaccine negotiations: official
Related news: Indonesia's COVID-19 vaccine expected ready for production in 2021-end
Related news: President ensures COVID-19 vaccine for Indonesians listed under WHO
Translator: Anom P, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
