Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia received 5 million doses of ready-to-use China’s Sinovac vaccine on Friday, the National Drug and Food Control Agency’s Head Penny Lukito said.

"This afternoon, Indonesia again received the COVID-19 vaccines. Today, the 5 million doses of Sinovac vaccine are in the form of ready-to-use product in vials," said Penny when giving a virtual press statement broadcasted on the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube channel on Friday (Aug. 13).

She pointed out that the total number of COVID-19 vaccines in Indonesia to date has reached more than 185 million doses.

"The agency continues to oversee the development, cooperation, arrival and distribution of (vaccines)," Penny said, adding that starting August 2021, the national vaccination program will be expanded, targeting 2 million doses of injections per day.

As of Friday (Aug. 13), over 50 million Indonesians have received vaccine jabs against the novel coronavirus.

The agency stressed that it would always carry out supervision, assistance, testing, assessment, and ensure that all vaccines entering Indonesia are guaranteed in terms of safety, quality, and efficacy.

"All the vaccines used in Indonesia have gone through a long process (of assessment) and have received approval, as well as distribution permits," said Penny.

Reporting by Indonesia Window