Govt Eyeing to Commence Covid-19 Vaccination Mid-January

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian Health Ministry is eyeing to commence the national Covid-19 vaccination as early as the second or third week of January 2021 as results of the clinical trials are completed by the Padjadjaran University (Unpad) in Bandung. 

“I think we are pretty optimistic to remain under schedule and start vaccination in January’s second or third week,” said the Health Ministry’s vaccination program spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi on Sunday, January 3.

The optimism the ministry has is based on the clinical trial results of the Sinovac vaccine held in Turkey and Brazil that are said to have shown ‘satisfying results’ and despite not having the completed report, she said the results from Unpad have shown positive signs.

As they wait for the complete lab report, the Health Ministry continues to validate the data for the vaccine recipients – which will be prioritized to healthcare workers – in regional levels and also the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines. 

The Health Ministry is hoping that on January 7, healthcare workers across 34 provinces would already receive training to be vaccinators. The use of the Sinovac vaccines in Indonesia still awaits for completed clinical trials and the emergency use authorization from the BPOM.

Also Read: Sinovac Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution to 34 Indonesian Provinces Starts Tomorrow

EGI ADYATAMA