TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Special Staffer to the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister, Arya Sinulingga, explained that the government would continue to run the free mass Covid-19 vaccination program even though state drugmakers Kimia Farma and Biofarma were set to offer paid vaccine programs.

According to Minister Erick Thohir’s aide, the policy is an alternative to accelerate the national vaccination program and to achieve herd immunity faster. “The government's free vaccines are still running. All locations of free vaccines are accessible for the public,” said Arya as quoted by Antara on Monday, July 12.

He said the self-paid vaccine program is part of the Gotong Royong Vaccination program because previously, only legal companies were allowed to administer it for their employees.

The government thus decided to establish Gotong Royong Vaccination for individuals. “It aims to speed up the implementation of vaccinations. So people have more options,” said Arya.

Kimia Farma Corporate Secretary Ganti Winarno emphasized that the paid Covid-19 vaccine program will not interfere with the free vaccination carried out by the government.

Biofarma spokesman for the Covid-19 vaccine, Bambang Heriyanto, also added that individually-paid Covid-19 vaccination will be available at eight clinics. The Covid-19 vaccine will use doses by Sinopharm at Rp321,660 per vial and injection service cost at Rp117,910 per jab so the total price will be Rp879,140 per individual.

Read: Kimia Farma Postpones Paid Covid-19 Vaccination Program

ANTARA