Merah Putih Vaccine Targeted to Earn EUA by March 2022

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Acting Deputy for Innovation of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Erry Ricardo Nurzal, said Airlangga University (Unair) and the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology are the two leading institutions in the development of the Merah Putih vaccine. Both have produced Covid-19 vaccine candidates.

In a webinar regarding the homegrown vaccine research progress held by the Society of Indonesian Science Journalists (SISJ), Erry explained the vaccine developed by Unair had entered the preclinical trial.

“And it is hoped that the emergency use authorization (EUA) will be granted in March and followed by [the EUA for vaccine developed by] Eijkman in September 2022,” he said on Monday, August 23.

Besides Unair and Eijkman, five other institutions developing the domestic vaccine against Covid-19 are the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and Padjadjaran University (Unpad). According to Erry, they are still in the analysis process of vector expression.

“So hopefully, Indonesia can overcome the current and future pandemics. The vaccine development by Unair and Eijkman also considers existing virus variants,” he added.

Erry also said the Merah Putih vaccine development is necessary to meet the country’s vaccine needs and accelerate the economic recovery. “It is also hoped to be a symbol of the nation’s independence.”

Read: BPOM Grants Certificate for Merah Putih Vaccine Production

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI