Indonesia has approved China's Sinovac Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine for its elderly population, the country's food and drugs authority (BPOM) said in a letter to state-run pharmaceutical company Bio Farma seen by Reuters on Saturday.
The letter showed that Bio Farma has approved the vaccine for those aged 60 and above after 'taking into account the emergency situation".
Wiku Adisasmito, spokesman for the country's COVID-19 task force, confirmed the authenticity of the letter, as did a Bio Farma spokesman.
A BPOM spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Southeast Asian country gave Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine its first emergency use approval outside China as the world’s fourth most populous country launches nationwide inoculations.
Sydney Airport flights disrupted due to air traffic controller shortage
Philippine firefighters enter charred ferry as search continues for dozens missing
Modi, Putin hold talks in New Delhi on trade, defence
More US lawmakers seek AI rules after Anthropic researchers warn of extinction
Fire in rebel-held east Congo kills 24 schoolchildren
Trump says he does not regret Iran war despite potential impact on elections
Trump touts $5,000 payout if Republicans win as Vance waits in wings
Search expands after Philippine ferry fire kills five and leaves dozens missing
