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fter expanding the investigation into fake vaccine distribution, the Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has uncovered the distribution of falsified antibody stimulants in four other cities besides Jakarta and Bekasi, West Java.

“The areas indicated are Serang in Banten, Pekanbaru in Riau, Palembang in South Sumatra and Bengkulu. We are trying to discover whether other areas are also affected,” BPOM head Penny Kusumastuti Lukito told a media conference at the Office of the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani said the government would respond to parents who had expressed their anxiety after it was revealed that the fake vaccine distribution had begun in 2003.

“Although [the cases have] only been found in a few areas, the government will keep providing assistance to parents who feel children have been given fake vaccines within their areas, not only in Jakarta and Bekasi. Please report it to the police so that we can launch investigations,” Puan said.

Health Minister Nila Moeloek said 539 children would be re-vaccinated after their parents had complained that their children might have previously been vaccinated with fake vaccines.