Jokowi: Merah Putih, Nusantara Vaccine Must Follow Scientific Requirements

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said the government continues to monitor the research development of homegrown Covid-19 vaccines.

To date, there are two types of vaccines being developed in the country, namely the Nusantara Vaccine by former Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto and Merah Putih (Red and White) vaccine.

“To produce safe and potent medicinal products and vaccines with good quality, the development must follow scientific principles and clinical trials in accordance with applicable, open, and transparent procedures and involve many experts,” said Widodo in a statement on Friday, March 12, 2021.

He said that the requirements and steps are vital to prove that researchers are taking precautions in creating vaccines against the coronavirus. Besides, it must be proven scientifically.

“So that the vaccine produced is safe and effective in use,” the President underlined.

If all stages have been passed, he promised that the government will speed up the production to meet domestic vaccine needs. He said that amid the ongoing pandemic, research and efforts to develop both drugs and vaccines are highly supported by the government.

“So that we can achieve independence in the pharmaceutical sector and accelerate access to vaccine availability during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Jokowi.

Read: Questioning Nusantara Vaccine

EGI ADYATAMA