Merah Putih Vaccine to Be Used as Booster, for Children: Health Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said homegrown Merah Putih Vaccine will be used as a booster, and for children aged 3 to 6 years.

“The government has accelerated the vaccination program since a few months ago,” said Budi during a virtual event of the clinical trial kick-off of the Merah Putih Vaccine at Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya, Wednesday, Feb. 9.

According to the minister, the plan was made following discussions with President Joko Jokowi Widodo. “We see the potential Merah Putih Vaccine as boosters and for children, especially those aged 3-6. There are not many vaccines [for children]. As far as I know, there are only Sinovac and Pfizer that is in clinical trials,” he added.

The COVID-19 vaccine was also planned to be used for international donations to several African countries. Budi emphasized that President Jokowi had agreed on this plan.

Nevertheless, the minister underlined that what’s needed now is the registration process at the World Health Organization (WHO) for clinical trials and boosters. It is also required for international donations.

“It must be ensured that this vaccine is at the international level [which is not only based on clinical trials], but also international research publications as much as possible so that global researchers can see it,” he said.

Read: BPOM Allows Clinical Trials on Merah Putih Vaccine

ANTARA