AstraZeneca is developing a COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University and is among the front runners in the global vaccine race. (Photo: thejakartapost.com) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian ForeignMinister Retno Marsudi and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir leftfor official visit to the UK and Sweden on October 12. The visit aims to securecommitments from other sources for a COVID-19 vaccine under a bilateral vaccinecooperation framework.
Earlier, the two went on a similar work trip to China and the United ArabEmirates, where they secured a supply of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in theballpark of 300 million doses until the end of next year.
According to Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartanto the Indonesiangovernment, through the Health Ministry, will procure vaccines from AstraZenecain a contract for 100 million doses. The country will pay a 50 percent downpayment by the end of this month, or about 250 million USD.
AstraZeneca is developing a COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University and isamong the front runners in the global vaccine race, which could provide earlyanalyses of data from their various large trials over the next two months.
During its European trip, the Indonesian delegation will meet World HealthOrganisation Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesys, as well as representatives fromthe Vaccine Alliance and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
The government is aiming to vaccinate 160 million people in the coming years. HealthMinister Terawan Agus Putranto said his ministry was still working on thedetails of a vaccination program but asserted that priority would be given tohealth workers and security forces who were at the forefront of handlingCOVID-19./.
VNA
