TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia received 1.184 million more doses of Sinopharm vaccine, or equal to 592,000 vials today, Monday, July 19. The vaccine will be used for the Gotong Royong private vaccination program, which is a company-funded inoculation drive held by state-owned and private firms for their employees.

“Sinopharm arrived on a Garuda Indonesia flight. This is the fifth batch of the vaccine arrival series for the Gotong Royong vaccine program,” said state-owned pharmacy PT Kimia Farma President Director Verdi Budidarmo in a virtual press conference on Monday.

Previously, 5.5 million doses of vaccine produced by the Chinese firm landed in Indonesia. With the latest arrival, the country has secured a supply of 6.68 million doses of the Chinese-made vaccine.

Verdi explained that based on the deal with Kimia Farma, Sinopharm committed to delivering 15 million doses of vaccine. This cooperation was part of the country’s effort to obtain 20 million doses for the private vaccination program.

The government allowed the Gotong Royong vaccine program in a bid to accelerate public access to the COVID-19 vaccine and achieve herd immunity.

Verdi went on to say that Kimia Farma conducted self-funding in bringing in the Sinopharm vaccine, or without using the State Budget (APBN), including in the injection process.

Read: Indonesia Receives 3.4 Million Doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine from COVAX

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA