Most people believe that once the SARS-COV-2 vaccine is found, the pandemic will be over. Actually there are many steps needed to be completed before the vaccine is out and ready to be used. In Indonesia, the vaccine needs to be passed and registered by the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM), before mass production.
The declaration that a vaccine has been shown safe and effective will be a beginning, not the end. Deploying the vaccine to people might not as simple as we thought :
1. It takes time to build the human antibody
Vaccines have different levels of protection and effectiveness. The higher the vaccine's effectiveness, the faster the immune system is formed and herd immunity occurs. However, studies have found indications that the human body's immunity to the COVID-19 virus is temporary. It means that a person needs at least two doses of vaccine in a six weeks period before pronouncing safe from the virus.
2. Logistical constraints in Indonesia
With the calculation that a person needs two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Indonesia needs approximately 383-548 million doses of vaccines . .
Those numbers needed time and good logistics to be able to provide vaccines in entire provinces. One of the reasons why the government is preparing the vaccine in stages.
3. Vaccine price
Each type of vaccine has a different price. The government predicted the vaccine price would start at Rp 300,000 or around US$ 20 . The vaccine program will be carried out by In Health Social Security Administration Bodies (BPJS) to those who cannot afford it and those who can, pay for the vaccines.
Then, how can we end this pandemic? Right now, maintaining the health protocols is the only way to do it, use your mask, stay at home and social distancing also wash your hands. These simple steps will help us to stop the pandemic while the vaccines are still on the long run.