An Indonesian minister said on Thursday that health ministers of countries joined in Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) have agreed to appoint Indonesia as the 'center of excellence' in developing vaccines that would be supplied to OIC member countries.

The agreement was the response to Indonesia's proposal to become the center of vaccine development in OIC, officially approved by delegates attending the 4th OIC Health Ministers Conference held in a lavish hotel here.

"The vaccine development program in OIC was intended to make OIC countries self reliance on vaccine supplies. They don't need to import it from non-OIC countries," Indonesian Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said here.

The minister said that the agreement was stipulated in one of six resolutions entitled "Resolution on Self Reliance in Supply and Production of Pharmaceuticals Including Vaccines" resulted from the conference.

The three-day conference, which started Tuesday, is attended by health ministers from 12 OIC members that consisted of Indonesia, Uganda, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Gabon, Suriname, Egypt, Palestine, Mauritania, Nigeria and Mozambique.

Indonesia runs a vaccine production facility, namely PT Biofarma, certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its vaccine production. It makes one of two OIC countries that run such a facility endorsed by the WHO.

Nafsiah said that Indonesia's vaccine products were used to supply domestic demands and for export to other countries. She said that vaccine is essential for children and adults.

According to the agreement, a "Vaccine manufacturers Group" would be formed. The group would be joined by vaccine producers, OIC related agencies, international organizations, Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) and UNICEF.

Six firms from four OIC countries have pledged to join the group with two others conveyed commitment to join in. Endi

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