Thailand covid vaccine planning update

The Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday expressed its confidence that two Covid-19 vaccines from the UK and China would arrive later this month as scheduled, despite warning signs to the contrary, especially the EU’s order to suspend AstraZeneca’s vaccine shipments outside its territory.

Thailand ordered 200,000 doses from Astra Zeneca of which the first 50,000 are expected to arrived later this month(February 2021) . The first are expected to the local medical staff in high risk groups (Bangkok , Samutsakhon , cholburi etc.) and people in high risk contact group.

He also insisted the country will also get the vaccine made by Sinovac (Chinese vaccine) later by this month , even it had not yet recieved safety approval from CHinese FDA.

Dr Kiattiphum said there was no need to wait for such approval from China because the Thai FDA had full authority to approve it for emergency use. However, safety was still paramount.

Thailand’s FDA is considering approving Sinovac’s vaccine for emergency use after the company submitted scientific papers related to its safety, quality and efficacy. The FDA is still waiting for some additional documents.

However, Indonesia and Brazil have already used the Sinovac vaccine due to their participation in massive human trials conducted by the company.

The ministry has placed an order for two million doses from Sinovac and they are still expected to arrive from February to April, as per the original plan.