Epidemiologist touts Merah Putih vaccine as major pandemic-handling step

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Epidemiologist at Griffith University, Australia, Dicky Budiman, believes that the clinical trial permit granted to the Merah Putih Vaccine was a big step for Indonesia to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This Merah Putih Vaccine is important not only in the short term to tackle COVID-19 but also for the long term," he told ANTARA on Saturday.

The epidemiologist stated that although Indonesia already had PT. Bio Farma as a vaccine producer, research on vaccine testing was a major foundation for Indonesia, as a vaccine producer country, to support vaccine availability for the community.

"The production capability is already proven, but vaccine research from research and development is an advantage. It takes investment and time. This is a big step for Indonesia," he remarked.

Budiman highlighted a 50-50 chance of success for research on a vaccine for infectious diseases.

If the vaccine can successfully clear various series of tests, then the country can independently produce a vaccine to be distributed to the public.

The state can also change the psychosocial and community behavior in response to the COVID-19 vaccine. However, if it fails, the Merah Putih vaccine becomes a valuable experience for further research, he noted.

“Even if it failed, at least it can be a very valuable experience for research. Failure is a good foundation to reach the next stage," Budiman affirmed.

The epidemiologist expressed optimism that the Indonesian government would be serious in providing assistance in vaccine research. In addition, the success of the research is also crucial, considering the looming pandemic threats in future.

On a separate occasion, Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) Penny K. Lukito remarked that the phase one of the Merah Putih Vaccine clinical trials involved 90 volunteers and 405 people in phase two.

If the two phases of the clinical trials are able to obtain interim results and meet the requirements, then the trial will go on to the third phase.

"After obtaining the interim results of three clinical trials, the vaccine can be submitted to the BPOM and receive approval for an emergency use permit (EUA) that will be around mid-July of 2022," Lukito remarked.

The quality of the Merah Putih Vaccine has been supported by PT Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia with Good Manufacturing Practices of Medicine (CPOB).

PT Biotis, as producer of the Merah Putih vaccine, is preparing for phase three of the clinical trials by increasing the scale of vaccine production, she stated. (*)