Doctors Association Warns Government About Vaccination Preparedness

The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has sent a letter to the Health Minister, Terawan Agus Putranto, on the COVID-19 vaccination. In the letter, the IDI chairman Daeng M Faqih appreciated the government's efforts in the COVID-19 pandemic mitigation, including prioritizing health workers in the COVID-19 vaccination program. However, IDI suggested several things so that vaccination could go well. "A good preparation is paramount, such as choosing and providing the right type of vaccine and taking care of every aspect of its implementation. They are following the President's instruction not to conduct the vaccination program hastily," IDI explained in the letter.

IDI also mentioned several crucial requirements for the prospective vaccine, such as proven effective, immunogenic, and safe, and the vaccine’s published phase three clinical trials showed good results. Amid the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) allows the manufacture and supply of drugs or vaccines to use the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process. However, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) needs to maintain its independence and professionalism despite having the authority to issue EUA. IDI also asked the government to consider recommendations from Indonesia and the Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) and the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization of the World Health Organization (SAGE WHO).