Indonesia received one million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from the Chinese government and an additional one million free doses from Sinovac on Friday.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, as of September 24, 2021, Indonesia has secured a total of 273,603,790 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

“With the arrival of these vaccines, the total number of vaccines that have arrived in Indonesia is 273,603,790 doses, both in the form of finished products and bulk,” the minister said while delivering a virtual press statement on Friday.

Earlier, on September 21, 2021, Indonesia had received 200 thousand doses of the Sinovac vaccine in the form of finished products from the Red Cross Society of China.

Marsudi on Friday affirmed that Indonesia will keep strengthening diplomacy to meet its domestic vaccine needs. She also expressed her gratitude to China for its support and cooperation in vaccine procurement.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xiao Qian, explained that the vaccine donation was an effort by the Chinese government to support Indonesia’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aside from vaccine supply, China donated 120 ventilators, 400 oxygen generators, and other medical supplies for Indonesia last August, the ambassador said.

“Under the strong leadership of President Joko Widodo and the joint efforts of the Indonesian people, China believes that Indonesia will defeat the pandemic as soon as possible and restore economic and social development,” Qian added.

The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was confirmed in March 2020. To win the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021. President Widodo was the first vaccine recipient under the program.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, as of September 24, 2021, at least 84,863,899 Indonesian citizens have received the first vaccine dose and 47,708,141 have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Source: Antara News