Foreign Minister Calls for Dose-sharing Mechanism to Tackle Global Pandemic
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi underscored the importance of COVID-19 dose-sharing mechanism in a bid to tackle global pandemic.
“Dose-sharing mechanism is crucial to address issue in the pandemic, namely shortage of vaccine at global level and unequal vaccine access,” she said in a press statement on the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines of dose-sharing commitment from the Government of the United States and France, Friday (17/9).
Retno went on to say that multilateral cooperation, COVAX Facility, has announced that it cannot meet the target of providing 2 million doses of vaccines this year. The deadline will be postponed to the first quarter of 2022. Therefore, dose-sharing mechanism became important.
Similar view also echoed by Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during health ministers’ meeting of the G20 countries.
“He said there are three measures to address shortage of vaccine and unequal vaccine access. First, swap vaccine delivery of countries that have already achieved high coverage levels with COVAX Facility. Second, fulfill their dose-sharing pledges immediately, and third, facilitate the sharing of technology and know-how to support regional vaccine manufacturing.” She said.
On that occasion, the Minister also appreciated dose-sharing commitment from a number of friendly countries. In fact, Indonesia on Friday (17/6) received 2.6 million doses of Pfizer vaccine and on Thursday (16/6) received 968,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine of dose-sharing commitment from the Government of the United States and the Government of France, respectively.
“Dose-sharing commitment from the US and France not only reflected strong partnership between Indonesia and its two counterparts but also served as a concrete proof of commitment to cooperate in tackling the pandemic,” she added.
Retno also asserted that the Government will continue to secure vaccine supply needed for national vaccination drive and intensify vaccination to meet the target set by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. The Government has set a target to vaccinate 208 million of population to achieve herd immunity.
“The Government will also continue to made various breakthroughs and have cooperation with other countries and parties to secure supply for national vaccination drive and to develop domestic vaccine production,” she concluded.(TGH/UN) (RAS/LW)