"It is hoped that in early February, there will be clinical trials for Airlangga University's Red and White vaccine. If there are no significant obstacles, it is targeted to receive the EUA in June," Penny Lukito said at a press conference on booster vaccinations here on Monday.
Airlangga University's Red and White vaccine has been developed by the university's academics in collaboration with PT Biotis Pharmaceutical, she noted. Meanwhile, BPOM's role has been to assist in the development of vaccine research, she said.
"We have issued assessment documents for research, development, and production facilities that must meet the quality aspects and good laboratory work practices," the BPOM head elaborated.
Related news: BPOM aims to start indigenous vaccine production by 2022 second half
Asked whether Airlangga University's vaccine could be used as a booster, Lukito said that the preclinical trials of the vaccine on animals have been concluded.
"In addition to providing EUA, BPOM is building the independence of domestic vaccines by collaborating with researchers from Indonesia and other countries to conduct research, develop domestic vaccine infrastructure so that we can produce domestic vaccines," she added.
In a bid to boost community immunity against COVID-19, the Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.
According to data provided by the Health Ministry, as of January 10, 2022, nearly 170,720,573 Indonesians have received their first COVID-19 jab, while 117,124,404 have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
The Ministry of Health had earlier announced that the booster or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine would be rolled out for the public from January 12, 2022.
Related news: 'Red and White' vaccine expected to be ready in mid-2022
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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