TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The main researcher of the Sinovac Covid-19 Vaccine in Indonesia, Kusnandi Rusmil, said the vaccine made by the Chinese company could be used to deal with a new variant of Covid-19, namely Sars-Cov-2 B117. He said, for now, Sinovac is still safely and effectively used as the main vaccine given to the Indonesian people.
“Within 1-2 years this vaccine can still overcome this virus,” said Kusnandi when contacted Time, Friday, March 5, 2021.
Kusnandi however warned that by nature, viruses will always mutate. This is done by the virus to defend its life from environmental influences, aka adapting. Although vaksin Sinovac those currently used are still considered effective, Kusnandi said at one point, vaccines would also be replaced.
“Like the influenza virus, the strain is changed every year,” said Kusnandi who is a researcher at Padjadjaran University.
Read: The Task Force Called the Common Appearance of a New Covid-19 Variant
Even so, he said that what is important and can be done by the government at this time is to maximize the vaccination of all Indonesian people with the existing vaccines. Currently, Indonesia has received the most Sinovac vaccines. It is known that the AstraZeneca vaccine only arrived yesterday to Indonesia.
“What is important for us to do now is to be vaccinated using whatever Covid vaccine is available as soon as possible. So that it reaches community immunity (60-70 percent), and health protocols are strictly implemented,” said Kusnandi.
Previously, two cases of the new Covid-19 variant B117 known to have existed in Indonesia. This was disclosed by Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono a few days ago. Even so, people are asked not to panic and remain vigilant and maintain discipline in health protocols.
– .
