Gov’t Ensures Safety, Quality, Efficacy of All COVID-19 Vaccines

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto delivers press statement on the arrival of five million doses of Sinovac vaccines, Monday (6/9). (Source: Screenshot of Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

The Government has ensured the safety, quality, and efficacy of all types of COVID-19 vaccine available in the country.

“The vaccines available in Indonesia have gone through an evaluation process by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), recommendations from the ITAGI and the WHO, as well as experts,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in a live-streamed press statement on the arrival of five million doses of Sinovac vaccine, Monday (6/9).

Therefore, he urged the public not to hesitate or worry about receiving any type of vaccine.

“All types of vaccine are efficacious to protect the public; hence, there is no need to be picky. The best vaccine is the one currently available,” he said.

For the record, of the vaccination target of 208.2 million people aged 12 years and above, until 5 September 2021, vaccination coverage in Indonesia has reached 105.7 million doses.  A total of 66.78 million people have received the first dose, 38.2 million people have received the second dose, and 713,068 health workers have received the third dose.

Airlangga also underscored that the Government would continue to boost vaccination for the public, especially for vulnerable groups.

“The President has ordered his Ministers and regional leaders to speed up vaccination and to distribute the vaccines quickly so that the target can be achieved,” he said.

Airlangga also pointed out that the national recovery rate had reached 92.8 percent since the implementation of the public activity restrictions (PPKM), while hospital bed occupancy rate this week has also decreased significantly, he added.

Nevertheless, although a number of indicators for handling COVID-19 have shown improvement, the Minister reminded everyone to remain vigilant in tackling the pandemic.

He went on to say that vaccination drive with discipline in implementing health protocols and increasing 3T efforts (testing, tracing, and treatment) are three main strategies implemented by the Government in handling the pandemic.

“We certainly must stay vigilant and continue to brace ourselves to prevent the next waves. With good collaboration, especially in vaccination drive, we hope our country bring the pandemic under control and rebuild the national economy,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (EST/EP)