President Jokowi asks Covid-19 vaccine from China can be completed and available in 3 months, research team: It cannot

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 10:32 am

Corona vaccine clinical trials that come from the Chinese biopharmaceutical company, Sinovac Biotech, in collaboration with PT Bio Farma have entered the third phase. Previous clinical trials stage 1 and 2 have taken place in China.

The meeting was held between the Faculty of Medicine Research Team of Padjajaran University and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, July 21.

During the meeting, President Jokowi requested that the Covid-19 vaccine from China could be completed and available within the next three months.

This was revealed by the Covid-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial Coordinator who is also the Chairperson of the Research Team Kusnandi Rusmil, after the meeting. “A specific directive from Mr. President, try to get this corona vaccine quickly. If possible, it can take three months,” Kusnadi said at a press conference.

However, the team could not fulfill the request. The reason, according to Kusnadi, is the clinical trial research team of the Covid-19 vaccine work very carefully so that it might not be completed in three months.

“We say it can’t be in three months. Because we have to do it carefully and correctly,” Kusnandi said.

Kusnandi and the research team estimated that the clinical trial process could be completed in January 2021.

The Padjajaran University collaborated with PT Bio Farma and Balitbang of the Ministry of Health in conducting this clinical trial process.

The third phase of clinical trials is also accompanied by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

Currently, Kusnadi and the team will gather 1,620 volunteers to be tested for the vaccine. Criteria for volunteers are male or female, aged 18-59 years and in good health.

If this clinical trial is successful, then PT Bio Farma will mass-produce this corona vaccine.

Although this vaccine is indeed needed by the community, Kusnandi asserted it would not be in a hurry and be very careful in conducting this clinical trial. According to him, clinical trials conducted by him and the research team follow procedures regulated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Because for medical clinical trials there are procedures that have been regulated by WHO. It should be like this, we cannot prevent it. Later the results will not be good and this vaccine will not be monitored for its side effects and benefits,” Kusnandi said.