Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir left for official visit to the UK and Sweden on October 12. The visit aims to secure commitments from other sources for a Covid-19 vaccine under a bilateral vaccine cooperation framework.

AstraZeneca is developing a Covid-19 vaccine with Oxford University and is among the front runners in the global vaccine race. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Earlier, the two went on a similar work trip to China and the United Arab Emirates, where they secured a supply of a potential Covid-19 vaccine in the ballpark of 300 million doses until the end of next year.

According to Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartanto the Indonesian government, through the Health Ministry, will procure vaccines from AstraZeneca in a contract for 100 million doses. The country will pay a 50 percent down payment by the end of this month, or about 250 million USD.

AstraZeneca is developing a COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University and is among the front runners in the global vaccine race, which could provide early analyses of data from their various large trials over the next two months.

During its European trip, the Indonesian delegation will meet World Health Organisation Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesys, as well as representatives from the Vaccine Alliance and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

The government is aiming to vaccinate 160 million people in the coming years. Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said his ministry was still working on the details of a vaccination program but asserted that priority would be given to health workers and security forces who were at the forefront of handling Covid-19.

Source: VNA