Erick Thohir: Production of Merah Putih Vaccine Starts in 2022

Editor: Lia Sisvita Dinatri

TRIBUNBATAM.id - The Minister of BUMN and the Chief Executive of the Committee for Handling Covid-19 and National Economic Recovery (PCPEN), Erick Thohir, hopes that the Merah Putih vaccine can begin production in 2022. 

"From the information obtained, InsyaAllah, if clinical trials I to III of the Red and White vaccine can be carried out next year, so that by 2022 we can start producing the Red and White vaccine," said Erick Thohir as quoted from Antara, Saturday (12/9 / 2020). 

The owner of the Mahaka Group said that the presence of the Merah Putih Covid-19 vaccine so that Indonesia does not depend on vaccines produced from foreign producers. 

"So it is impossible for us to depend on vaccines in collaboration with foreign producers," said Erick. 

In addition, he also said that it was no less important since the beginning of Bio Farma together with the Eijkman Institute, Balitbangkes Ministry of Health where Indonesia hopes that later there will be a Merah Putih vaccine.

Apart from these institutions, the government of course also opened cooperation with several universities related to the development of the Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

"Because indeed, the vaccine is for the formation of antibodies against the Covid-19 virus and it takes six months to two years according to the studies obtained," said Erick.

Chances are, the Merah Putih vaccine is given more than once to one individual.

If the current population of Indonesia is around 270 million, the vaccine that must be given is at least 540 million vaccines. 

He will propose to the government and the DPR two types of vaccination programs for the corona virus or Covid-19.

• Batam Facing Covid-19 Surge, Not Consistently Appeals Health Protocol Violators

• Expert: The PSBB in DKI Jakarta will be Successful if 85% of the People use Masks

Erick said that the proposed vaccination program consists of a government-assisted vaccine program and an independent vaccine program that is self-financed by the community.

"We propose to the government and the DPR RI that there are two types of vaccination programs, namely the government-assisted vaccines for the mass vaccination program under the TNI-Polri in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education," said Erick. 

"In fact, yesterday we were involved with the Ministry of Health and PMI," he said. 

He said, specifically with the Ministry of National Education being involved because there are 40 thousand prospective nurses and 12 thousand prospective doctors who can be expected to help with this vaccination.