TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Health Ministry added the country’s first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, IndoVac, to the vaccine list for the second booster vaccination. Previously, the vaccine is only given to elderly people aged 60 years and over.

“The IndoVac vaccine can be used for those receiving AstraZeneca primary vaccine series. IndoVac in the second booster vaccination is for all people aged 18 years and over,” said the ministry’s head of the communications and public services bureau, dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, in a press release on March 7, 2023.

The vaccine has received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and takes into account existing vaccines. Its use is also based on the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization's (ITAGI) recommendation Number ITAGI/SR/3/2023 dated March 6, 2023.

The vaccine is given a full dose of 0.5 ml at least 6 months after the first booster vaccination. It is available at healthcare facilities or at COVID-19 vaccination centers.

“Boosters are needed to maintain immunity and stop the transmission of COVID-19,” Siti underlined.

Based on the data, Siti explained most of the COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital were classified as moderate and severe, and most of them had not yet received a booster, likewise the death cases.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

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