VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The government seeks to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to all residents through three channels, namely purchases from China and the UK, guaranteed vaccine supplies from international organizations, and domestic production of the Red and White Vaccine.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Health in Jakarta, Friday, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprise have been trying to get vaccine supplies from pharmaceutical manufacturers Sinovac and Sinopharm in China and AstraZeneca in the UK.

The government is also collaborating with international organizations such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) to get access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, domestic researchers developed the Red and White Vaccine using a new type of coronavirus strain that is contagious in Indonesia.

"While waiting for the Red and White vaccine, which is expected to be ready in early 2022, we will take advantage of cooperation with China and the UK. Because this vaccine requires two injections, we need to set priorities for vaccine administration, we prioritize the frontline health workers," said Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto.

The government is targeting vaccine supplies from China and the UK to meet the needs of at least 70 percent of the population, collaboration with CEPI and GAVI can guarantee the provision of vaccines for 20 percent of the population, and the Red and White vaccine can cover up unmet vaccines.

The government has stated that they interested in being able to access up to 100 million doses of the vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca by 2021. (Antaranews)