"Although there is a vaccine, we have to remain disciplined in applying health protocols. We always have to remain disciplined in implementing the 3M health protocols of wear masks, keep our distance, and wash our hands. May God, the Almighty, bless all of us to pass the test of this epidemic," the president noted in a statement on the Presidential Secretariat's official YouTube account on Sunday.
As many as 1.2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by a Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday evening, which were transported aboard a special cargo aircraft Garuda Indonesia Boeing 777-300 EA serving the Jakarta-Beijing route.
Apart from the 1.2 million doses of vaccine arriving this month, the government is also working on 1.8 million doses of the vaccine to arrive in early January 2021.
"We are very grateful and thank God that the vaccine is available, meaning that we can immediately prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, to start vaccination, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has to still take steps," Jokowi remarked.
Related news: COVID-19 vaccine defect-free and in good condition: Health Minister
Related news: BPOM evaluation is prerequisite for conducting COVID-19 vaccination
The vaccine that arrived has passed the phase III clinical trials in Bandung since August 2020.
In addition to the completed vaccine, there will be bulk raw materials for producing 15 million doses of vaccine in December this year and 30 million doses of vaccine in January 2021, which will be further processed by PT Bio Farma Persero.
The head of state also emphasized that before vaccinating the public, all procedures must be followed appropriately to ensure public health and safety as well as vaccine effectiveness.
"All procedures must be followed properly in order to ensure public health and safety as well as effectiveness of the vaccines. Based on scientific consideration, the results of clinical trials will determine when vaccination can be started," he stated. (INE)
Related news: After receiving Sinovac, Indonesia eyes COVAX's vaccines in 2021
Translator: Indra Areif P, Fardah
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
