The Indonesian government has said that Bali residents could start receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in the third week of December.
The Coordinator of Maritime and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the plan to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine in Indonesia is estimated to start by the end of December, 2020.
“We are keen to see Bali become a green zone, which is our target. We are optimistic of Bali becoming a green zone at the start of next year, as we will commence vaccinations in the third week of December,” Luhut said during a virtual meeting.
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yatika)
The vaccination program was originally scheduled to start in November has now been pushed back until the end of December.
Luhut stated that the vaccine being developed by Sinovac and Bio Pharma in Bandung, West Java is currently in 3rd phase trials of clinical testing.
To begin the vaccination, Luhut said that the Indonesian Government needs to ask for the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Indonesian Food and Drugs Surveillance Agency (BPOM).
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yatika)
The vaccine will be distributed to areas that are considered a ‘red zone’ meaning they have the highest number of COVID-19 cases as in the case of Jakarta.
“There are several areas that will be at the top of my priority list to deliver the vaccine to prevent the cases from from surging any further” Luhut said.
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yatika)
Bali is high on the priority list due to its economic dependence on tourism. Luhut said the government wants to clear Bali of COVID-19 by early 2021.
The government is currently waiting for the Indonesian Drugs Surveillance Agency to issue the emergency use authorization for the vaccination.
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yatika)
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