"I'll also provide the cold chain"... Pfizer negotiates vaccine contract with Indonesia

Indonesia, 4th Largest Population, Faces Challenges in Ultra-Low Temperature Distribution
Indonesia Engages with China, US, UK for Vaccine Purchase
Moving Beyond Purchase to Production of Vaccines

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Pfizer, the American pharmaceutical company that developed the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, is negotiating a contract with Indonesia. Following Malaysia, Pfizer is actively persuading Indonesia by promising not only the vaccine but also the provision of cold chain (low-temperature logistics) facilities.

On the 30th of last month, an Indonesian government official stated in an interview with The Straits Times, "Pfizer has proposed to provide cold chain facilities for vaccine distribution." The anonymous official added, "Pfizer has met with the Indonesian Ministry of Health for COVID-19 vaccine supply and is scheduled to meet with the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM)."

The Indonesian government has previously signed purchase contracts for COVID-19 vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical companies CanSino Biologics, Sinopharm, and Sinovac, as well as American Novavax and British AstraZeneca.

Until now, Indonesia has expressed difficulty in purchasing vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna due to the ultra-low temperature distribution requirements. Last week, Eric Thohir, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, said, "The reason we cannot purchase Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is that they require cold chain systems at minus 75 degrees and minus 20 degrees, respectively," adding, "The vaccines must be compatible with our distribution system, which operates between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius."

For Indonesia, if Pfizer provides the cold chain as well, there is no need to refuse the vaccine.

Earlier, Luhut Panjaitan, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, visited the United States on the 17th of last month as a special envoy, meeting President Donald Trump and discussing COVID-19 vaccine cooperation plans with Vice President Mike Pence and others. At that time, Minister Luhut also proposed options such as producing Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines in Indonesia.

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world after China, India, and the United States. For Pfizer, Indonesia is a large market that cannot be missed, which appears to be why they proposed providing cold chain facilities.

Meanwhile, Pfizer has already agreed to supply vaccines to Malaysia. Malaysia announced on the 27th of last month that it had contracted to purchase 12.8 million doses of the vaccine from Pfizer. Malaysia plans to vaccinate 6.4 million people twice by early next year. The Malaysian government is also seeking to procure additional vaccines through COVAX, a joint purchase and distribution initiative by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.