Since the Indonesian government continued to accelerate the Covid-19 vaccination program in early 2021, the Health Ministry confirmed that people will not be completely immune to the disease after getting the jab.
However, the vaccine will minimize the impact if the recipient is exposed to the virus because it works by stimulating the body’s immunity.
The vaccine recipients are prioritized for adults who are at least 18 years old.
The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) spokesperson for vaccination, Lucia Rizki Andalusia, said there has been no published information about the clinical trial results of the Sinovac vaccine for children ages 3-17.
“The phase I/II clinical trial involving volunteers aged 3 to 17 years old is currently taking place in China, the country producer of the Sinovac vaccine,” said Lucia.
If the phase I and II clinical trials complete, it will proceed to the phase III clinical trial. This aims to meet the requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Thus, Lucia said the Health Ministry was still waiting for the recommendation of Covid-19 vaccination for children from a number of related institutions.
Previously, the Medical Director of Sinovac Gang Zeng in a press release explained that the early and mid-stage clinical trials involving over 550 subjects showed that the Covid-19 vaccine would induce an immune response.
He claimed two recipients developed high fevers after getting the vaccine shot, while the rest of the trial subjects experienced mild symptoms.
