Jakarta, July 8 -- The Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ministry has stated the grant call scheme could accelerate research and development of 11 vaccine antigens requested by the Health Ministry, thereby strengthening the National Routine Immunization program.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie said here on Wednesday that under new arrangements, the government has provided funds for strategic research, including projects proposed by the Health Ministry.

"We have something called a proposal call, so we call forth. If the (required vaccines) have been determined by Mr. Minister, we can set aside and allocate fundings for just those 11," Christie said after the launch of the mRNA Dengue V...