TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Amin Soebandrio, predicted that the prototype of Indonesia's own Merah Putih (red and white) Covid-19 vaccine will be submitted to Bio Farma by March 2021.

Amin said that Eijkman as the current leader of the vaccine consortium was coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) and ensured that each process has been following the requirements standard since its process in the laboratory.

“The new vaccine prototype will be officially delivered to Bio Farma no later than March 2021 for the next upscaling process and clinical trials phase 1-3,” Amin told Bisnis on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

The phase-1 clinical trial was expected to begin in May 2021. If the process of each stage runs smoothly, it is estimated that the distribution permit can be issued by the end of 2021 or early 2022.

Merah Putih Covid-19 vaccine, Amin went on, was predicted to be distributed in 2022. “It is hoped to meet the expectations; safe, effective, easy to produce, and meets halal requirements,” he said.

Based on the report of the National Economic Recovery Committee on the status and progress of the domestic vaccine, the distribution will be carried out in the second quarter of 2021 at the earliest.

Also Read: Indonesia Aiming for COVID-19 Immunization in December End

BISNIS