Epidemiologist: COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement Must Be via BPOM

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, warned of the risk of fake COVID-19 vaccine distribution. He opined the government must ensure the safety and authenticity of vaccines used in the country.

“Vaccines that are distributed in the country must go through BPOM (Food and Drug Monitoring Agency). Do not let private parties procure vaccines via the B to B (business to business) scheme again that were later found to be fake,” said Tri in Jakarta, Friday, March 19.

He underlined the government must be involved in vaccine procurement or purchase to prevent bogus ones. All vaccines must also obtain a distribution permit from BPOM.

“The government should intervene. Otherwise, private parties may take fake vaccines,” he said, recalling the discovery of fake vaccine distribution networks in China and South Africa.

COVID-19 handling task force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito, meanwhile, confirmed there was no fake vaccine syndicate in the archipelago to date. He said COVID-19 vaccine procurement was carried out under the government to government scheme in a bid to ensure its authenticity.

Read: BPOM Approves AstraZeneca Vaccine for Use

ANTARA