Workers load boxes with the Sinovac Biotech Ltd. coronavirus vaccine from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office in Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 7.
Photographer: Dimas Ardian / Bloomberg
Photographer: Dimas Ardian / Bloomberg
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Indonesia adopted China Sinovac Biotech Ltd. emergency shots, paving the way for Southeast Asia’s largest economy to start its vaccination program.
The Sinovac vaccine was found to be about 65% effective against Covid-19 in late-stage trials in the city of Bandung, Penny Lukito, chief of the food and drug regulator, said in a news conference Monday. The regulator also considered data from clinical trials in Brazil and Turkey when making the decision, she said.
The vaccine is “largely safe,” said Lukito. “It brings hope of reducing the Covid cases. “
Indonesia starts vaccinations: Vaccine Tracker for Southeast Asia
The emergency use license is the first for Sinovac’s vaccine outside of China. In Brazil, late stage trials showed one employment rate of 78%. According to the Brazilian government, the vaccine was effective in preventing mild cases of the virus and 100% effective against severe and moderate infections.
Indonesia is struggling to contain the worst coronavirus outbreak in Southeast Asia, with a positivity rate of more than 31% on Monday, a sign of insufficient testing. The World Health Organization recommends keeping the rate below 5%.
President Joko Widodo will get the first recording on January 13, along with social media influencers and religious leaders. Indonesia must strengthen confidence in the vaccine among its 270 million inhabitants to contain the outbreak that has infected more than 830,000 people so far.
The Ulema Council of Indonesia has stated that the Covid-19 vaccines are halal, clean and can be used by Muslims in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant authorities. Sinovac has shipped 3 million doses to the country, which aims to vaccinate 181.5 million people by March 2022.
(Updates with halal statement in last paragraph.)