Govt should explain the death after the inoculation of AstraZeneca vaccine
Vice Chair of House’ Commission IX Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena speaks in front of audience. Photo: Erman/Man
Cases of death after being inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine occurred in Indonesia. A 22-year-old youth from Buaran, Jakarta, named Trio Fauqi Virdaus died a day after being inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine at Istora Senayan, Central Jakarta on Wednesday (5/5).
In response to this, the Vice Chairperson of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena asked the government, particularly the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and the National Commission on Post-Immunization Accidents (Komnas KIPI) to investigate cases of suspected deaths due to the inoculation of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
"This incident must be taken seriously. The government needs to conduct a check immediately. It should be based on strong data and analysis of cases of suspected death caused by the AstraZeneca Vaccine," he said in a release received by Parliamentaria on Monday (10/5/2021).
In addition, the politician from the Golkar Party faction asked the government to explain transparently to the public the death allegedly caused by the inoculation of the AstraZeneca vaccine. It should be done so that people still have a positive attitude toward vaccination.
"The government needs to inform the public what has happened. If the vaccine is still problematic, it should be put on hold first, so that there are no more victims. The use of the AstraZeneca vaccine must be done carefully," suggested Laka Lena.
Laka Lena explained that House’ Commission IX had summoned the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) for permitting the AstraZeneca vaccine to be used in Indonesia. This step needs to be taken after a number of countries in the European Union began to stop ordering the vaccines after several incidents, including blood clotting, were found. "We ask for an evaluation regarding the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Indonesia, whether this is feasible or not," he concluded. (rnm/es)
