BANGKOK, Dec 22 (TNA) — The Public Health Ministry has approved the administration of the fourth jab of COVID-19 vaccines for medical professionals in close contact with possible COVID-19 cases and people with chronic diseases and impaired immunity and is ready to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against COVID-19.
Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the ministry’s sub-committee on immunity promotion resolved to proceed with the fourth jab administration for the medical personnel and staff in close contact with possible COVID-19 cases and the patients with chronic diseases and impaired immunity whose third jabs had been injected at least three months ago.
Besides, the sub-committee decided to promote COVID-19 vaccination among children aged 5-11 after the Food and Drug Administration approved inoculation for such young children. The inoculation would be organized at schools and hospitals for children including those doing homeschool, Dr. Opas said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Consular Affairs said the Thailand Pass registration system for Test & Go and Sandbox entry programs was closed except that for the Phuket Sandbox scheme.
About 200,000 people had registered for Thailand Pass and about 90,000 of them had yet to arrive. The remainder can visit the country as planned but will undergo two RT-PCR tests. The first one will be done upon arrival and the second one, for which the government will pay, will happen on day 7 after arrival.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that New Year festivals could be organized because Omicron outbreaks for the time being were controllable. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that national lockdown would be used only in the last resort. (TNA)
