Gov’t Issues Presidential Regulation on COVID-19 Vaccines, Vaccination
In a bid to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday (5/10) signed Presidential Regulation Number 99 of 2020 on Vaccine Procurement and Vaccination.
“Accelerating the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination requires extraordinary steps and special arrangements,” the Government stated on the consideration of the regulation, which was promulgated on 6 October 2020.
The scope of vaccine procurement and vaccination includes procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, implementation of COVID-19 vaccination, funding for procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations, as well as support and facilities of ministries, agencies and local governments, reads Article 1 paragraph (2) of the regulation.
Under the regulation, vaccine procurement and vaccination will be carried out from 2020 to 2022 and may be extended by the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery upon the recommendation from Minister of Health.
The procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines, according to the regulation, includes provision of vaccines, supporting equipment and logistics required, as well as vaccine distribution to the point of delivery set by Minister of Health.
Furthermore, procurement of vaccines is carried out through assignments to state-owned enterprises and direct appointment of providing business entities and may also be conducted in collaboration with international agencies / bodies.
For this purpose, the cooperation is limited to the provision of vaccines, not including supporting equipment for vaccination.
Under Article 2 paragraph (6), if the vaccines can be produced and available domestically, the Government will prioritize domestically-produced vaccines.
Regarding vaccine prices, Minister of Health has the authority to set the prices, according to the regulation.
“Minister of Health sets the selling price of the COVID-19 vaccines by taking into account the emergency and limited availability of the vaccines,” reads Article 10 paragraph (1), adding that the pricing is carried out in accordance with good governance and in an accountable manner and with no conflict of interests.
As for COVID-19 vaccination, as referred to in Article 13 paragraph (1), it is carried out by Ministry of Health. Taking into account the Committee’s considerations, the Ministry determines the criteria and priorities for vaccine recipients, priority areas for vaccine recipients, schedules and stages of vaccine administration, and vaccination service standards.
Under Article 14 paragraph (1), in the implementation of vaccination, Ministry of Health may cooperate with ministries / institutions, local governments, state-owned enterprises or private sectors, professional / community organizations, and other parties deemed necessary.
Such cooperation includes support for the provision of health workers, vaccination site, logistics / transportation, vaccine warehouse and storage equipment including buffer stock / stock piling, security, and / or dissemination and community mobilization.
Meanwhile, funding for the procurement of vaccines and vaccination will be sourced from the State Budget that may be carried out through a multi-year contract mechanism, as well as from other legal and non-binding sources in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.
“Provincial governments and regency / city governments may provide funding through the regional budget to support the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination in their respective regions,” reads Article 20.
Under Article 21 of the regulation, various ministries, the Food and Drug Inspection Agency (BPOM), the Government Goods / Services Policy Institute (LKPP), the Finance and Development Audit Agency (BPKP), the Attorney General Office, the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), as well as regional leaders such as governors, regents and mayors play a role in the support and facilities. (DND / UN)
Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas
