"Hopefully, it would meet the expected target," Parawansa stated when contacted from Surabaya, Monday.
The first phase of clinical trials is planned for February 9, 2022, after obtaining approval from the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
Clinical trials will be conducted by administering vaccines at the Dr Soetomo Hospital to 90 volunteers aged at least 18 years and not having received the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
The entire team behind the development of the Merah Putih vaccine has met with the factory team to discuss Good Manufacturing Practices (CPOB).
During the first phase of clinical trials, volunteers aged 18 years and above will be tested through a strict screening process.
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Meanwhile, clinical trials for children will be commenced after the first phase of adulthood had completed.
Parawansa, concurrently general chair of the Unair Alumni Association (IKA), is optimistic that the Merah Putih Vaccine would be immediately produced and utilized by the community.
"We want the Merah Putih vaccine to be able to become a candidate for booster vaccination in the country," she noted.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from the United States and National Health Service (NHS) from the United Kingdom have recommended booster vaccination to reduce the risk of infection and severe symptoms caused by new variants, including Omicron.
Based on an update from the World Health Organization (WHO), the increase in the number of cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 had reached more than 80 percent.
"This variant also shows an around five folds higher risk of re-infection when compared to the Delta variant. However, the administration of booster vaccines in developed countries has proven to be effective in reducing hospitalization rates by 89 percent," she expounded.
The use of the Merah Putih vaccine as a booster is viewed as being relevant since Indonesia, with a population of more than 272 million people, cannot depend on foreign-produced vaccines.
"Booster vaccination activities in Indonesia further add to the demand for COVID-19 vaccine," Parawansa stated.
Nonetheless, Parawansa expressed support for accelerating the clinical trial of the Merah Putih Vaccine from the first to the third stage.
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Translator: Fiqih A, Resinta Sulistiyandar
Editor: Suharto
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