JAKARTA – Indonesia will soon start human clinical trials of its home-grown Covid-19 vaccine Merah Putih, reported the Vietnam News Agency, citing the republic’s Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
Jointly worked on by Airlangga University (Unair) and PT Biotis Pharmaceutical Indonesia, the jab has been given the go-ahead by BPOM for further development and trials.
BPOM head Penny K. Lukito told the press yesterday that of the six local institutions participating in the vaccine’s development, Unair has made the most progress.
After undergoing preclinical testing on genetically modified mice, the inactivated virus jab is currently being trialled on monkeys.
Penny pledged that BPOM will continue to support and monitor Unair and PT Biotis Pharmaceuticals to ensure the vaccine meets international standards.
Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim said the reopening of schools after 1½ years of online learning due to the pandemic is currently a top priority of the government, noting that a lack of in-person classes has affected students’ mental health and learning capacity.
The ministry called on localities that have been allowed to reopen schools to organise face-to-face lessons on a small scale. – Bernama, August 19, 2021
