Russian Ambassador for Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobyova. (Image via Kronologi)

RDIF: Indonesia wants Sputnik vaccine

Russia revealed that numerous Indonesian companies are in talks with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) on the procurement of Russian-flagged vaccine for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Sputnik V. The news was confirmed by the Russian Ambassador for Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobyova, during a press conference on Wednesday.

Lyudmila also stated that the vaccine procurement deal between Moskow and Indonesian pharmaceutical companies could be realized next year. Recently, there has been rumors about the Russian-flagged vaccine to enter Indonesia. During the press conference, Lyudmila clarified that Sputnik has not been registered to the National Agency of Drug & Food Control (BPOM). Produced by the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Sputnik V has been approved by Belarus and under registration & approval process in Argentine.

In an official statement by the Russian Embassy on Tuesday, Lyudmila stated that Russia is still proposing Sputnik V to BPOM. By registering Sputnik V for Indonesia's emergency use authorization (EUA), she saw the move as the proof that Russia is ready to cooperate with Indonesia to tackle COVID-19 pandemic together.

Russia, under the administration of Vladimir Putin, hopes that the Sputnik V can be used by Russia's partners, including Indonesia, to solve COVID-19, said she. Yet, currently, Indonesia has set six COVID-19 vaccines to be granted EUA, and they are:

1. Bio Farma,

2. Astra Zeneca,

3. China National Pharmaceutical Grup Corporation (Sinopharm),

4. Moderna,

5. Pfizer Inc-BioNtech, and

6. Sinovac Biotech.

Source: https://bit.ly/2KQNkfS