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Waiting for Covid-19 Vaccination - editorial                                                                                                                                                                                              bbc.com

The recent arrival of 1.2 million Covid-19 vaccines is certainly very positive news for the Indonesian people. The vaccines produced by the Chinese company, Sinovac arrived in December 6, 2020. Indonesians are also waiting for the time when the Covid-19 vaccination will be carried out.

The vaccines have arrived. But, vaccinations are not immediately implemented. Indonesian people still have to be patient to wait. Because there are still steps to go through to determine when vaccination can be carried out. In fact, the clinical trials of the vaccine to be produced by PT Biofarma have not been completed, yet. In fact, the Food and Drug Agency -BPOM has not been able to issue a distribution permit for emergency user authorization. Head of BPOM, Penny Lukito said that the permit would, of course, be issued while still prioritizing three main aspects, namely safety, efficacy and product quality, including the validity of product information. One of the reasons for this emergency use distribution permit is that the drug or vaccine development process is still ongoing.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs who is also Chairperson of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery, Airlangga Hartarto hopes that BPOM can immediately issue an emergency use permit. But of course, Indonesian people have to wait for the results of clinical trials in Bandung, West Java and Brazil, which are scheduled to be completed today (15/12). Airlangga Hartarto expressed his hope at the Bisnis Indonesia Award 2020 event, which was delivered virtually on Monday (14/12). On that occasion, he also remarked that the presence of vaccines is a change agent or game changer in handling Covid-19. It is hoped that the presence of vaccines can reduce the spread of the virus and encourage public confidence to resume activities. While waiting for the results of clinical trials, the Indonesian government has prepared health workers. About 440 thousand health workers and 23,000 vaccinators continue to prepare themselves for the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccination throughout Indonesia.

But there is something necessary for the Indonesian people to be aware of. If all clinical trials are successful, and vaccinations are carried out, unnecessarily all Indonesians will get vaccinated. Based on the ready number, there are three million doses. It is clear that only one percent of the Indonesian people will receive the first vaccine. Of course, the people must be willing to give vaccines to the first priority group, namely those who are at the forefront of handling Covid-19. They are medical personnel, contact-tracing paramedics, and public servants, including the personnel of Indonesian Armed Forces -TNI, the National Police -Polri, and other legal officers. Eventhough the number has reached 3.4 million, the need is around 6.9 million doses.

Another thing that must be considered is that not all people can get free vaccines. Minister of Health, Terawan Putranto has said that the government has made two schemes of Covid-19 vaccination. Of the total 107 million citizens who need to get vaccinated, 35 million people are included in the government's immunization program. This means that they get a free vaccine. Meanwhile, the others will buy their own vaccines.

In addition, the most important thing that the Indonesian people should do now is that they have to strictly implement health protocols. Maybe, the people have often heard the calls to wear masks, wash their hands with soap, keep their distance and avoid crowds. In reality, this step is very effective in preventing the spread of Covid-19. The regional governments can more strictly enforce health protocols, such as heavy sanctions imposed on those who violate the health protocols, not issuing permits for crowds, especially ahead of the Christmas and New Year. Because at present, if the vaccination could not be carried out, enforcement of health protocols by all parties becomes a powerful weapon to fight against the Covid-19.