The Indonesian Ministry of Health is planning to launch a new immunization program and a pentavalent vaccine for infants two months old to one year.
Produced by Bio Farma, the pentavalent vaccine is a combination of five antigens targeting five diseases, including Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae Type B, at once.
Bio Farma production director Juliman said besides lowering the frequency of babies' shots, the pentavalent vaccine leads to greater efficiencies.
"The use of pentavalent vaccine is expected to diminish production costs, cold chain costs, injector costs, and encourage health officers to be efficient. This cost efficiency will translate to affordability for the people," Juliman added.
"This year we will produce and supply the vaccine to four provinces, West Java, Bali, NTB and Yogyakarta, while later we will be able to produce and fulfill the demand of all provinces of Indonesia."
Subsequent to the WHO prequalification assessment clearance, the company plans to export the vaccine even to other countries.
