Another Batch of 21.2 Million Sinovac COVID-19 Vaccine Bulks Arrives in Indonesia

Screenshot of a press conference on the arrival of 21.2 million doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine, Tuesday (27/7).

Indonesia on Tuesday (27/7) has received another batch of 21.2 million doses of raw materials for Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten Province.

According to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, the arrival of bulk vaccines is the Government’s efforts to speed up the national vaccination drive.

“This afternoon, we witnessed the arrival of COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 21.2 million doses of Sinovac vaccine are in the form of raw materials. The Government will continue to strive to obtain more vaccines through all available channels to ensure the availability of vaccine supply so that we can achieve the vaccination target,” the Minister said.

For the record, today’s arrival is the 30th batch of imported vaccines conducted by the Government.

On that occasion, Airlangga said that the COVID-19 vaccination is a crucial measure for the success of joint efforts to escape the pandemic.

“President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reiterated that COVID-19 vaccination drive is a game-changer, which is pivotal to determine our success in getting out of the pandemic,” he said.

To that end, the Government always ensures the safety, quality, and efficacy of all types of vaccines received.

All vaccines arrived, he added, must also obtain permits from the Indonesia Food and Drug Administration (BPOM), must be recommended by the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other relevant parties.

“The public should not hesitate or worry about receiving the vaccine,” he said.

Airlangga further said that at least 208 million people need to get vaccinated so the country can reach herd immunity.

“The total number is rising after the addition of children aged 12 to 17. To date, 718 thousand children have received the first dose of vaccine. The sooner vaccination, the better it will be,” he added.

As of 26 July 2021, the Government has rolled out a mass vaccination drive for health workers, public servants, the elderly, the general public, and vulnerable people with a total vaccination number of 64.13 million doses of vaccine, including 45.5 million doses in the first inoculation and 18.6 million doses in the second inoculation.

As one of the necessary measures to tackle the pandemic, Airlangga urged the public to remain disciplined in observing health protocols, such as wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance, and washing hands regularly.

“The vaccination is one of the Government’s strategies for handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination needs to be coupled with community discipline that must be carried out together,” he said.

Airlangga asserted that the Government is also committed to continually increasing the capacity for testing, tracing, and treatment measures to suppress the spike in confirmed cases, as well as extending the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) until 2 August 2021.

On that occasion, the Minister also pointed out that PPKM Level 4 has been put in place in 95 regencies/cities in 7 provinces in the islands of Java and Bali and 45 regencies/cities in 21 provinces outside the islands of Java and Bali, while PPKM Level 3 in 33 regencies/cities in 7 provinces in the islands of Java and Bali and 276 regencies/cities in 21 provinces outside the islands of Java and Bali.

The PPKM Level 2 has been put in place in 65 regencies/cities in 17 provinces outside the islands of Java and Bali.

“Hopefully, we can enhance good cooperation of all parties for COVID-19 handling, especially the vaccination drive can be expanded so that the country can successfully control the COVID-19 pandemic and if the people are healthy, then the economy can bounce back,” he remarked. (FID/AIT/UN) (RIF/MUR)