To overcome Covid-19, the Indonesian government is continuing in its efforts to seek and develop a vaccine for the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
By
SUHARTONO
·5 minutes read
SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN
President Joko Widodo
To overcome Covid-19, the Indonesian government is continuing in its efforts to seek and develop a vaccine for the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. With foreign and nationally developed vaccines, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expects Indonesia to secure 290 million doses by the end of 2021.
During a special interview with Kompas and Kompas TV on Friday (13/11/2020) at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, the President affirmed that mass vaccination would take place as scheduled. However, the President also cautioned that vaccination should not be done recklessly. The people’s safety must be prioritized. The following is an excerpt from the interview.
How is the government’s procurement of Covid-19 vaccines progressing? Does the procurement include the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech that claims to have 90 percent effectiveness?
I don’t want to talk specifically about vaccine products and trademarks. I have issued instructions to look for the vaccines that are on the WHO [World Health Organization] list. In any case, the vaccines are based on scientific norms, scientific data, and we don’t want those with second-rate health standards.
Will the vaccines that arrive be injected immediately?
Whatever [vaccine] arrives first and faster, go ahead. But everything has to be approved by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). There must be emergency use authorization from the BPOM.
An electronic billboard in Times Square announces "stocks soar on vaccine hopes" on November 9, 2020 in New York City. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced positive early results on its COVID-19 vaccine trial and has proven to be 90% effective in preventing infection of the virus.
Why will the vaccines not be administered directly?
Actually we can, they arrive and are administered. However, we require a signature [agreement] not to take any legal action. We don’t want this. Because if anything goes wrong, it will cause a problem. I don’t want this. So you must go through the BPOM. Because of this, once again, the injections must not be played with, given carelessly, I do not want the health standards ignored. I do not want what’s happened in Brazil, where vaccination has been halted because of some problem.
So when will the injections be given?
There are three phases. First, the vaccines used must be on the WHO list. Second, the immunization [program] must also conform to the WHO studies, with immunization targeting the 18 to 59 age range. Third, the stages must be taken with care, as they involve humans. Thus, it must not be rushed. If the vaccines arrive at the end of November, they must go through the three- to four-week [approval] stage at the BPOM.
According to a survey by the Health Ministry, along with Unicef and other agencies, some 30 percent of people still oppose Covid-19 vaccination. What efforts are the government making?
I have ordered constant familiarization, and I have also requested awareness through religious figures. Next week, we will start an [immunization] simulation. By early next year, we hope the public’s acceptance of vaccination will have increased. Indeed, the vaccination will be carried out in stages. The first stage will reach 1 to 10 percent, and then 10 to 20 percent, and so on until complete coverage. However, don’t think that 1 to 10 percent [coverage] will give good vaccination results. It will be constantly monitored and evaluated.
How long will the government proceed with vaccination?
According to the existing stages, the [immunization program] will last through 2022. A team is selecting the [immunization] locations. The vaccine team will determine these.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo wearing a protective mask and face shield talks as he inspects the third phase trial for COVID-19 vaccine in Bandung, Indonesia, August 11, 2020.
Regarding vaccines, the government is seen to be fluctuating. Is it because there are other interests?
There isn’t any. There is absolutely no politics. Nor are there any economic interests. When [the vaccines] are ready and have fulfilled the requirements, the injections will be ready. If they are not ready, they will not [be administered]. The first to be injected will be the health workers, doctors and medical workers. Then the members of the Indonesian Military and National Police, as well as civil servants and public service officers. Teachers are included among these. We have a list of these people.
Is the President also prepared to be injected first?
If it’s decided that I’m to be vaccinated first, I’ll be ready. However, if the President is chosen to be the first, there shouldn’t be any comments [like], “Oh wow, isn’t it nice that the president is the first.” There should not be any such accusations. I don’t want it. At any rate, I’ll be ready to be the first to be injected or later. It’s up to the vaccine team to decide.
What about economic recovery?
Health remains number one, but the economy has to go on according to the pace that has been determined. Right now, it is important for the health protocols to proceed alongside the economy. It is my [belief] that compliance with the health protocols has partly improved. We hope this will also spread to other regions to improve economic progress.
During the Covid-19 pandemic and later when vaccination begins, will there be any changes to the government’s targets?
No. Indonesia’s advancement must continue. The Omnibus Law will be implemented after the [relevant] government regulations and presidential regulations are issued and accommodate all interests, including workers’. After that, bureaucratic reform will also commence, as well as economic transformation.
