"Vaccine procurement must follow safety standards set by the World Health Organization [WHO] and the Technical Advisory Group on Immunization [ITAGI]," Sri Mulyani said on Tuesday.

"Indonesia will not use a different standard, we will follow international standards [for the procurement]."

Complying with international standards in procuring the vaccines is key to reassure the public that the vaccines are safe for use, she added.

"[Potential] vaccines should pass proper clinical trials. We will not speed up the process or use our own standards, because if we don't follow international standards, [the public] will question the safety of the vaccines," Sri Mulyani said.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo instructed his Cabinet members on Monday to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines to be used in the national vaccination program, asserting that all vaccines must go through a series of clinical trials.

Earlier this month, Jokowi issued Presidential Regulation No. 99/2020 on vaccine procurement and vaccination to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Popular

Firefighter dies battling blaze at illegal Jakarta dumpsite

Prabowo draws flak over Iran nuclear remarks, North Korea mediation claim

Pramono urges calm as fear of August riot repeat unnerves shopping malls