November 21, 2024

University to produce Indonesia's first FMD vaccine

Indonesia's Airlangga University (Unair) aims to produce a foot and mouth disease vaccine for livestock.

This vaccine will be the first to be produced in Indonesia.

Unair Rector Mohammad Nasih explained that the vaccine has been researched and developed on campus since 2022, after an FMD outbreak struck livestock in Indonesia such as cows and goats. Clinical trials have been conducted, and production is targeted to begin in early 2025.

"This vaccine is still being further developed; hopefully, by early next year, it can already be produced," said Nasih to the media during Unair's 70th anniversary in Surabaya, on November 11.

Nasih stated that Unair initiated the production of the vaccine due to domestic needs. Moreover, Indonesia has been importing FMD vaccines from abroad.

He also hopes that the vaccine can support the Indonesian government's free nutritious meal programme. He mentioned that healthy livestock can produce quality meat and milk.

"If our cows and livestock are healthy, it means no need to import (meat and milk) anymore for the free nutritious meal programme," he said.

- Tempo