IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin is planning to lobby the United States government to fulfill Indonesia’s need for Covid-19 vaccines. The US is currently prioritizing vaccine production for its citizens that is predicted to last until June.
“Our plan is to conduct G-to-G lobbying with the United States if it’s (the vaccine distributions to other countries) opened. Hopefully Indonesia is in the list of priorities compared to other countries,” said the Health Minister in the House of Representatives (DPR) hearing on Thursday, April 8.
The Indonesian government continues its efforts to secure vaccine supplies as according to Minister Budi Gunadi, the United States had formally stated to other foreign affairs ministers and health ministers that it will make available its vaccine distribution once the US fulfills its domestic needs.
The Minister said lobbying the US government is still in its inception and is mainly an “anticipation for future events,” referring to a back up plan if the procurement of 54 million GAVI vaccines and 50 million AstraZeneca vaccines is hampered in the future.
Indonesia has also prepared plans to add its orders for Sinovac vaccines from China and claims talks between the two governments were made to request additional 90-100 million vaccine doses.
Read: 5 Covid-19 Vaccines Awaiting Indonesia’s EUA Approval
FRISKI RIANA
