Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian COVID-19 vaccine which is called Merah Putih (literally meaning Red White after the colours of the national flag) is expected to go clinical trials on humans in the first quarter of 2021, according to Minister of Research and Technology/Head of National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Bambang Brodjonegoro here on Monday (Oct 12).

"It is estimated that in the first quarter of 2021 clinical trials on humans for Merah Putih vaccine will be started. By the end of this year the vaccine may have completed clinical trials on animals," he said.

The minister stated that the government is optimistic that the initial clinical trial of the national vaccines in 2021 is still on the track, especially those developed by the Eijkman Institute and the University of Indonesia.

Currently, Merah Putih vaccines with different platforms is being developed by six institutions in Indonesia, namely the Eijkman Institute, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and Airlangga University, the minister said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window