VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Feb. 2 - Bio Farma will complete the production of 13 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from Sinovac's bulk through mid-February 2021, its spokesperson stated while welcoming the second shipment of bulk at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tuesday.

"Bulk from the first batch, or the third arrival (of Sinovac's consignment in Indonesia), as many as 15 million doses, have been through the production process by Bio Farma since January 14, with a target of 13 million doses expected to be completed on February 11," spokesperson of the Indonesian pharmaceutical company Bio Farma Bambang Heriyando remarked.

While today's consignment from Chinese firm Sinovac comprises 10 million vaccine bulk shots along with one million overfill, which is the extra volume to anticipate the production process at Bio Farma.

"Today's arrival would proceed, starting from February 13, and is expected to be completed on March 30. It will later be tested for quality as well as be subject to a strict quality control process at Bio Farma and BPOM (Food and Drug Control) laboratories to ensure that the vaccine has met the standard," Heriyando stated.

The BPOM will publish the test result for the vaccine’s first batch manufactured by Bio Farma in the form of a lot release, a quality review of the drug in each country using standardized guidelines developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"The vaccine is designated for public staff and public service workers, including military personnel and police, that will begin to be rolled out in late February 2021," Heriyando remarked.

This first batch of the domestic manufactured vaccine will be labelled "Covid-19 vaccine" on its package in order to distinguish it from the very first group distributed earlier, made by Sinovac, with the "Coronavac" label.

The "Covid-19 vaccine" is packed in multi-doses, with 10 doses in every vial. Hence, a box will have 100 doses, "however the quality does not differ."  (Antaranews)