BPOM: Safety Aspect of Sinovac Vaccine is Good

Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) Penny Lukito delivers a press statement after a limited meeting on COVID-19 handling and national economic recovery, in Jakarta, Monday (23/11). (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

The safety aspect of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by state-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma in partnership with private Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech was good, Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) Penny Lukito said.

“The clinical trials have been completed. The safety aspect of the clinical trials is monitored to be good. The quality aspect of the Sinovac vaccine is also good. Now, we are waiting for the analysis process so that the safety and effectiveness aspects can be obtained and we can provide Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) so that vaccinations can be carried out,” Penny said in a press statement after a limited meeting on COVID-19 handling and national economic recovery, in Jakarta, Monday (23/11).

BPOM, Penny stated, is committed to providing vaccines that meet efficacy, safety, and effectiveness.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto said that various preparations related to the implementation of vaccination were carried out. “Ministry of Health has made various preparatory efforts starting from human resources, facilities and infrastructure, as well as simulations to smooth the vaccination process,” he said.

In addition, Terawan continued, the Ministry also simulated the distribution of vaccines in detail so that there would be no obstacles or delays in the implementation of vaccination.

“We continue to do it regularly and continuously so that everything can run smoothly. We have prepared all the facilities and infrastructure and hopefully everything can go well when the time comes for us to carry out the vaccinations,” he said. (FID/TGH/UN) (FI/LW)