JAKARTA – Indonesia will begin Covid-19 vaccinations this week, with President Joko Widodo being the country’s first recipient, its health minister said today.
"God willing, we will start (the vaccination process) on Wednesday," the Anadolu Agency quoted Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin as saying in a news conference.
Indonesia’s top Muslim body on Friday declared China’s Sinovac vaccine halal, or permissible under Islam.
It also reported that, in a news conference, Asrorun Niam, the secretary of fatwa (Islamic decree) commission of Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), said the decision was taken based on a plenary session discussing the ingredients and production processes for the coronavirus vaccine made by the Chinese company, Sinovac Lifescience Co.
However, he said the decision is not final as the body is still waiting for the final report from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency regarding the vaccine’s safety, quality and efficacy. – Bernama, January 11, 2021
