Indonesia's Way in Making Its Own COVID-19 Vaccine
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Scientists around the world are in a hurry to find antidotes for the resulting disease new coronavirus (COVID-19). There have been many institutions and countries researching to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, including Indonesia.
However, what is currently Indonesia’s main focus regarding this COVID-19 vaccine?
Indonesia is paving the way for its own COVID-19 vaccine
In an effort to develop the COVID-19 vaccine, the Indonesian government formed a consortium (association) containing scientists from various fields of expertise from several research institutions and universities.
The Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology (LBM) is the institution assigned by the Indonesian government to lead this consortium.
The consortium for the development of the COVID-19 vaccine began (9/3) or the second week since its announcement the first positive case in Indonesia.
This consortium was tasked with developing seed (seeds) or vaccine-making materials within 12 months. After completion, these seeds will be submitted to the Biofarma Institute for a series of trial stages.
Even so vaccine development is a difficult task. Herawati Sudoyo, Deputy Head of the Fundamental Research Division of LBM Eijkman, said that vaccine development is a long and expensive process.
There are many stages to making a vaccine, the first step being investigating and understanding the viral genome. What is meant by the viral genome is the entire genetic information of the virus, in this case the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
“Make seed vaccines if it can be seen from the virus genome data and if it is (SARS-CoV-2 in circulation) in Indonesia. We will look for parts of the virus that are specific to Indonesia. But for example, if we compare it to world data, it is the same, so we use universal data, “Herawati explained to Hello Sehat.
A study shows SARS-CoV-2 is mutated into two new virus forms. Mutations cause changes in the genetic makeup of the virus. This mutation can be one of the many obstacles we face Indonesian scientists in studying the COVID-19 virus and vaccine.
It should be noted, currently the main focus of LBM Eijkman is the detection of positive cases of COVID-19, where the government provides a target of 1,000 specimen detection per day.
Scientists from various countries are looking for a vaccine for COVID-19
Currently, many institutions and countries are researching the coronavirus vaccine. These countries, including Indonesia, are trying to find a vaccine for COVID-19 as soon as possible.
Data World Health Organization (WHO) states that there are 60 vaccine candidates currently being developed by various institutions around the world. Some of them have even entered the first phase of clinical trials in humans.
China
The Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences is working with CanSino Biologics, a Hong Kong-based biotech company to create a vaccine.
They have started the human trials phase since March 16. It is planned that this trial will be carried out on 108 volunteers in stages until December 2021.
United States of America
In March 2021, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases or NIAID) America has conducted its first human trial of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a press conference, NIAID director Anthony Fauci said their COVID-19 vaccine will take 12-18 months to reach the approved use stage.
Israel
Israeli scientists from Galilee Research Institute (Migal) claims to be modifying the vaccine Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) to be used as a vaccine for COVID-19. Migal is also the maker of the IBV vaccine, which is a vaccine for the avian coronavirus or coronavirus that attacks poultry.
“We are now working to adapt our generic vaccine system to COVID-19. MigVax (Migal’s affiliated institution) is looking for materials that are ready for clinical trials in a few months, “said Migal CEO, David Zigdon, as quoted by the New York Times (22/4).
The news about the estimated time announced by these institutions brings a breath of fresh air to the current conditions.
But a lot Scientists are skeptical a vaccine could be finished as fast that. 18 months sounds like a long time. However, 18 months really feels like it’s just the blink of an eye to find a vaccine.
Being skeptical does not mean being pessimistic. Not putting too much hope on the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine might be able to keep the Indonesian people on their toes and do something physical distancing in some time to come.
What if a country has finished developing a vaccine?
Researchers have warned that once a COVID-19 vaccine is developed, it is likely that production capacity will not be sufficient for everyone.
Any country that has not yet developed a vaccine will try to buy it. Meanwhile, countries that have vaccines do not necessarily release their stocks because they must first meet the needs of their countries.
“Even though there are industries that have advantages, they will sell them at pandemic prices. (Which means) it could be ten times the normal price, ”said Eijkman LBM Director, Amin Soebandrio.
That is why it is important for Indonesia to strive to develop its own COVID-19 vaccine.
Minister of Research and Technology (Menristek) Bambang Brodjonegoro has also confirmed in an event interview d’Rooftalk that Indonesia should not depend on imports of vaccines.
“We have to be able to produce it, at least make it from a prototype (example). existing in other countries, “said Bambang.
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- Interview Herawati Sudoyo, Deputy Head of the Fundamental Research Division of the Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology (LBM)
- Khamsi, R., 2021. If a coronavirus vaccine arrives, can the world make enough ?. Nature,. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01063-8
- Lurie, N., Saville, M., Hatchett, R. and Halton, J., 2021. Developing Covid-19 Vaccines at Pandemic Speed. New England Journal of Medicine,.
- Second. d’Rooftalk: Climbing the Corona ‘Antidote’ Research Path. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
