BANGKOK, July 6 (TNA) – The cabinet approved the procurement of 20 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer in October or the fourth quarter, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.
The Cabinet also approved the procurement of additional 10.9 million doses of Sinovac vaccine with the budget of 6.1 billion baht.
In its meeting today, the cabinet also endorsed a 2.52-billion-baht project to help employers and workers covered by Section 33 of the Social Security Act, who were affected by the maximum and strict COVID-19 control measures that the government imposed.
Regarding the report that Thailand will receive 1.5 million donated doses of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer, deputy chief advisor to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration Clinical Prof Emeritus Udom Kachintorn said he did not know when the lot would arrive. He said that the vaccine would not go to children aged 12-17 years but would be given to medical personnel possibly as their third jab (booster dose).
Infections among young children were lower and less severe than those among adults. Therefore, the doses would be administered for medical personnel to reduce their illnesses and fatalities, he said. If the vaccine from Pfizer comes late, the AstraZeneca vaccine can be administered instead, Clinical Prof Emeritus Udom said. (TNA)
