"The government has sent a Letter of Interest (for the vaccines) and is in the process of negotiating," Hartarto said during an online discussion for Outlook 2021 in Jakarta on Thursday.
He said vaccines from Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, and a vaccine from the Covax program are expected to arrive in the country in the second quarter of 2021.
"From Covax, the government also has a commitment of (vaccines for) 10 percent (of the population), so this is being pursued regarding time. Of course, in terms of funds, procurement and access have been fully prepared by the government,” Hartarto, who is also head of the Team for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (PC-PEN), said.
The Covax program is being led by the global vaccine alliance GAVI.
The Coordinating Minister said he hopes that the commitment to provide the COVID-19 vaccine can be increased to 20 percent of the population.
"There is a commitment from GAVI. GAVI is also preparing for 10 percent of the population and could be increased to 20 percent, mainly for pandemic and economic recovery. The game changer is vaccination and vaccination is a priority for the government," he added.
He also said the government has access to another vaccine -- Moderna's.
Earlier, 1.2 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine arrived in the country and are now waiting for permission from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
Hartarto said 1.8 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine are expected to arrive in January, 2021 along with raw materials for producing 15 million doses of the vaccine. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Dewa Wiguna, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
