By: Zakaria) *
The government has brought in the Sinovac Vaccine to support the Covid-19 vaccination program. Various parties also appreciate this step considering that the Sinovac Vaccine has been tested for its safety and halalness.
On January 8, 2021, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) held a fatwa hearing on the halal sinovac vaccine on Friday, January 8, 2021. The vaccination process itself has been planned to start on January 13, 2021.
Previously, the vaccination process would be initiated at the central level, namely by President Jokowi and the ranks of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet and officials at the central level. Vaccination will be carried out after the emergency use authorization (EUA) permit from BPOM is issued and the halal study from MUI is issued.
MUI, as the authority to issue fatwas related to the halalness of the Covid-19 vaccine, completed a field audit a few days ago. Furthermore, these results will be brought to the plenary meeting of the MUI Fatwa Commission tomorrow for further discussion.
The spokesperson for BPOM vaccination, Lucia Rizka Andalusia, said that her party would seek the EUA Covid-19 vaccine to be published before the first vaccination was carried out.
The audit results from the MUI have shown that the Sinovac vaccine is halal and holy. The statement of the halalness of the vaccine was stated after a long discussion and the results of the explanation from the auditor team, the fatwa commission agreed that the Covid-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac proposed by Bio Farma was legal and halal. This statement was made by the Head of MUI for Fatwa and Halal Affairs, Asrorun Niam Sholeh.
Niam said the MUI only determined the halal Sinovac vaccine. Regarding security, it will be submitted to the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
Previously, MUI had also completed an audit in the field related to the Covid-19 Sinovac vaccine. This audit started from Beijing to Bandung.
Niam said that on Tuesday, January 5, the MUI auditor team had completed a field audit of the Sinovac vaccine, starting at the Sinovac company in Beijing and finally at Bio Farma Bandung.
The results of the Sinovac vaccine field audit were followed by a discussion. The required documents are also accepted.
Asrorun said the field audit was followed by an in-depth discussion with the board of directors and the team, ending at 15:45. Documents needed by the auditor team to complete the study were also received today from Sinovac, at around 14.30 by email.
Please note, there have been 3 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from Sinovac in finished form that have arrived in Indonesia. Next week, it is planned that 15 million vaccine raw materials will arrive in Indonesia. That was said by President Jokowi when he handed over the land certificate. Of the 3 million doses of this vaccine, 700 thousand of them have been sent to the regions.
Asrorun also responded that there are still some people who refuse vaccination. Niam talked about a number of factors behind it.
MUI assesses that one aspect of doubt in the community is due to doubt about its halalness and safety. For this reason, with this halal fatwa, MUI hopes that it can be socialized to give confidence to the community, especially those who are Muslim.
Meanwhile, through the Presidential Secretariat youtube channel, Jokow said, two days ago the government had sent vaccines to 34 provinces in the first phase, only 700 thousand were sent to the regions. But there will be 3 million in stock and then sent to the 700 thousand area. Later it will be sent again, the next one will be sent again, God willing, next week there will also be 15 million vaccines in the form of raw materials produced by Bio Farma.
Vaccination itself will start on Wednesday January 13 simultaneously in 34 Provinces. Jokowi also advised the public to adhere to health protocols, namely wearing masks, maintaining distance and washing hands with soap.
On a different occasion, Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Arsul Sani, said that with this statement, the debate about whether vaccines were halal and supported the vaccination program carefully.
Arsul said, the issue of halal is often a debate in the aspects of medicine and health. This is no exception to the Covid-19 vaccine.
The halalness and sanctity of the Covid-19 Sinovac vaccine does not need to be debated, we certainly need to support it by supporting socialization from the public regarding the implementation of vaccine administration.
) * The author is a citizen living in Bogor
