Minister aims for domestic production of 15 vaccine antigens by 2029

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin sets a target for Indonesia to domestically manufacture all 15 vaccine antigens used in the national immunization program by 2029, thus he pushed for research and development into 11 antigens.

Budi said here on Wednesday at the launch of the University of Indonesia and Tsinghua University's prototype for mRNA-based dengue vaccine, that Indonesia utilizes 15 antigens, which are formulated into 13 vaccines. However, only four of those antigens are produced domestically.

"We will retire by 2031. Can we do it faster? 'Vaccine development can take long.' I don't believe it. COVID-19, we can do it in 18 months, 20 months. Why do I keep receiving answers that we need about 5 years and 10 years?" he said.

He said that the 11 antigens or vaccines were assembled, not manufactured. It is not unlike cars or machine assemblies, he pointed out.

"The drug substance we import from China and India. And after that, we do fill and finish, filling the bottle," Sadikin remarked.

He acknowledged that the fill-and-finish process still requires expertise but stressed that it is fundamentally different from producing the vaccine substance itself.

"So my objective is to make everything to do research and development and produce seed vaccine. And I need 11," he said.

Sadikin noted that Indonesia has yet to master two key vaccine production technologies, which are viral vector technology, such as that used in AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, and mRNA technology.

Hence, he called for collaboration with the Higher Education, Research, and Technology Ministry, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), industries, and partners to accelerate technology transfer.

"So I have two objectives. My first objective is to do research and development to produce fully 100 percent manufacturing for 11 additional antigens," he said.

Moreover, the second objective is to develop the technological capabilities to develop vaccines from the antigens with mRNA and viral vector technologies.

"And what I would like to propose to you, the good thing about this, it is not only to do research and development. You manufacture the products. And somebody is there ready to buy and spend money to buy your products," he added.

He said that such an arrangement is ideal.

According to Sadikin, scientific research delivers its greatest value when it results in products that benefit society and save lives. He said that such is the true achievement every scientist can be proud of.

"So I'm waiting before 2031 or before 2030, before my term ends, that this form of vaccine manufacturing company can produce those 15 antigens. And approved by Mr. (Head of Indonesian Foods and Drugs Authority) Taruna Ikrar," he said.

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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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