BPOM Approves Sinovac Covid-19 Vaccine for Elderly

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) approved the Covid-19 vaccine produced by the China-based pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech for use in the elderly.

The agency head Penny K. Lukito said the vaccination was set to hold after considering data from the phase III clinical trial in Brazil and the phase I and II clinical trials in China. “BPOM received these data at the end of January 2021,” said Penny during a press conference on Sunday, February 7.

“The clinical studies [held by Brazil and China] only show mild side effects such as pain, fever, nausea, swelling, skin redness, and headaches,” she explained.

Penny asserted that vaccination should be carried out with cautionary principle because the elderly people are at high risk as they tend to have comorbidities.

“The screening process is vital before deciding to administer vaccines to the elderly. Risk management must be carried out if there is an adverse event following immunization (AEFI). We hope that the mortality rate in the elderly group will decrease after the vaccination,” she said.

The Indonesian government was set to hold the Covid-19 vaccination to the elderly, especially those who work as health workers today, February 8.

Also Read: Indonesia Targets to Begin Covid-19 Vaccination for its People in April

M ROSSENO AJI