TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Military (TNI) has finally spoken up about the research of Nusantara vaccine development in Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD). The TNI spokesperson Maj. Gen. Achmad Riad asserted that the Covid-19 vaccine initiated by former health minister Terawan Agus Putranto is not a military program.

“The Nusantara vaccine program is not the TNI program. But in line with the government’s stance regarding any form of domestic innovation such as vaccines and medicines to prevent Covid-19, the TNI will always support it,” said Riad in a press conference in the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, April 19, 2021.

However, Riad reiterated that the support from TNI would be provided only if the research has met the criteria and requirements set by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). He outlined that there are three vital criteria to be met in research, viz. safety, efficacy, and feasibility.

“Apart from that, it also needs licensing process, cooperation between the TNI and various parties,” Riad added.

The use of health facilities and experts or researchers from the TNI, Riad went on, would be regulated by a cooperation scheme as legal standing. The TNI personnel could be mobilized as long as it did not disturb their official or main duties.

Read: Epidemiologist Comments on Nusantara Vaccine Team's Response to BPOM's Decision

EGI ADYATAMA