Indonesia will restart AstraZeneca vaccines, the health minister says

March 18, 2021:Indonesia will begin its use of the AstraZeneca vaccine again soon as regulators approve, the health minister said.

Southeast Asia’s largest economy halted the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine after over a dozen countries in Europe suspended the vaccine because of the blood clot concerns affecting recipients.

 Budi Gunadi Sadikin, health minister of the country, said Indonesia is awaiting confirmation on the safety of AstraZeneca’s vaccine from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

“If EMA and WHO delivers a recommendation in the favor. Yes, I can confirm to continue with the vaccination of AstraZeneca vaccine,” Sadikin added.

On Wednesday, WHO said that “the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue.”

EMA might release findings on its investigations on Thursday. The EU regulator had earlier indicated no direct link to the events caused by the vaccination.

According to data by Johns Hopkins University, Indonesia is the worst affected Southeast Asian nation, reporting over 1.43 million coronavirus cases and more than 38,900 deaths till now.

Through Covax, the global alliance aims to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the poorest countries across the world; Indonesia received 1.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine. Reuters reported saying it is ready to receive another 10 million doses in the coming months.

Last month, Indonesia also authorized one of the world’s first private vaccination programs to run alongside its national drive, which enables firms to buy state-procured vaccines for their employees.

It is expected to receive 20.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by Moderna and China’s Sinopharm from the second-quarter to use in the scheme.

Using the private sector is one way the country can accelerate the production of vaccines, said Sadikin, adding that it will help ensure people from poor backgrounds also have access to the vaccines through their companies.

“It will be different as a free vaccine for employees and their families and (in) many companies their employees are not rich.”