VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) presides over a cabinet meeting on the COVID-19 management at the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday, June 29, 2020. ANTARA/Akbar Nugroho Gumay

During a casual meeting with journalists at the Merdeka Palace on Monday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he believed Indonesia would be able to produce a COVID-19 vaccine early next year.

He is positive about this as tests are being done in parallel with international pharmaceutical companies.

"We predict the [vaccine] will be produced between January-April next year," said the president on Monday.

Earlier reports said state-owned enterprises such as Bio Farma and Kalbe Farma had opened partnership with international pharmaceutical companies such China's Sinovac Biotech in producing a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Jokowi said once the vaccine was produced it would be prioritized for healthcare workers and groups prone to the lethal effects of the virus. The government predicts the nation needs up to 347 million doses of the vaccine. (tempo.co)