JAKARTA: Indonesia has started human trials of its homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, with authorities hoping to grant emergency-use authorization for it by mid-2022.
The Merah Putih (‘Red White’) vaccine — named after the colors of the Indonesian flag — has been developed by Airlangga University in Surabaya and Biotis Pharmaceutical Indonesia. It obtained approval from the country’s drug regulator earlier this week.
“The Merah Putih vaccine is a super-priority program from President Joko Widodo toward vaccine independence,” Indonesia’s Chief Development Minister Muhadjir Effendy said as the vaccine developers officially launched human trials on Wednesday.
Indonesia’s vaccination campaign has been relatively slow, with only 133 million people — around 48 percent of the population — jabbed twice.
The country has so far approved the use of 13 vaccines developed abroad, and has pushed for the development and manufacture of locally made vaccinations since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Merah Putih vaccine project started in 2020, but suffered a number of delays.
The ongoing first phase of clinical trials involves 90 adult volunteers. In the second phase, scheduled to wrap in April, the vaccine will be tested on 400 people. In the third phase, 5,000 will be involved. If the tests prove successful, the government plans to authorize Merah Putih for emergency use in July.
The Ministry of Health expects the shots to be suitable for children aged three and over as well.
The Merah Putih vaccine has also been certified as halal by the Indonesian Ulema Council, Airlangga University dean Mohammad Nasih revealed during the clinical trial launch ceremony, adding, “This is all because of the wishes of the people of Indonesia for a product that we can all be proud of.”
As Merah Putih raises hopes of accelerating Indonesia’s vaccination drive, some epidemiologists say it is too early to say how the COVID-19 situation will progress.
Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, who works in the epidemiology department of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, told Arab News that the vaccine’s benefits for the country will depend on whether it protects against future COVID-19 variants.
He said: “Whether or not it will be of great benefit depends on the evolution of the virus.”
Indonesia is facing a new surge in COVID infections, and reported over 40,000 new cases on Thursday, nearing its record high from July 2021, when the daily caseload crossed 50,000.
Authorities expect the current wave of infections to peak during the next three weeks.
