Indonesia plans to start human clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine Merah Putih
Indonesia will soon start human clinical trials of its home-grown COVID-19 vaccine Merah Putih, according to the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
Taking samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in Indonesia (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia will soon start human clinical trials of its home-grown COVID-19 vaccine Merah Putih, according to the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
Jointly being developed by Airlangga University (Unair) and PT Biotis Pharmaceutical Indonesia, the vaccine has been given the go-ahead by BPOM for further development and clinical trials.
Speaking at a press conference on August 18, head of BPOM Penny K Lukito said among the six domestic institutions and universities participating in developing the Merah Putih vaccine, Airlangga University (Unair) has made the most progress.
After undergoing pre-clinical testing on genetically modified mice, the inactivated virus vaccine is currently undergoing testing on monkeys.
Penny pledged that BPOM will continue to support and monitor Unair and PT Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia so that the vaccine is produced in accordance with international standards.
On the same day, Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim said re-opening schools to students after a year and a half of online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic is the top priority of the government at present.
In his speech at an online meeting, Nadiem said this effort aims to reduce educational lag caused by online learning, noting that online learning has affected the capacity and psychology of students.
The ministry has called on localities that have been allowed to reopen schools to boldly organise small-scale face-to-face teaching.
Previously, the Indonesian government allowed schools in areas imposing the public activity restrictions (PPKM) levels 1, 2, and 3 to organise face-to-face teaching and learning./.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on August 16 underlined that there was a need to strike a balance between health and economic interests amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia's largest country, Reuters reported.
Indonesian Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita on August 17 announced a strategy to replace 35 percent of imported products in 2022 so as to bolster self-reliance and promote the domestic industrial sector.
Southeast Asian countries need more help in securing COVID-19 vaccines, as the region is struggling to contain record infections and deaths driven by the Delta variant, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has said.
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
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The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
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Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
Taking samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in Indonesia (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
