Expats are included in Thailand’s vaccination plan

[Guest]

11 hours ago, TotallyOz said:

Question: I would not mind the Moderna as the second shot. Do you think they will allow this?

#1   Did the organization you used give you a choice of vaccines ?

#2  If you go to an independent private provider, shouldn't we expect they will be happy to take your money unless vaccine mixing is prohibited by the Thai regulator AND they know you have had one dose of a different vaccine ?      

There should be no harm in registering as an option for the future. 

 

Incidentally, the UK plans booster doses for over 50s for the winter.   What vaccines they will use is not declared, however there are trials on vaccine mixing and the government ordered an extra 60 million Pfizer vaccines recently.

[TotallyOz]

9 minutes ago, z909 said:

#1   Did the organization you used give you a choice of vaccines ?

#2  If you go to an independent private provider, shouldn't we expect they will be happy to take your money unless vaccine mixing is prohibited by the Thai regulator AND they know you have had one dose of a different vaccine ?      

There should be no harm in registering as an option for the future. 

 

Incidentally, the UK plans booster doses for over 50s for the winter.   What vaccines they will use is not declared, however there are trials on vaccine mixing and the government ordered an extra 60 million Pfizer vaccines recently.

#1. Yes, I had a choice of Sinovac or Astra Z

2. I agree. But, the wording in the link from Med Park makes me hesitant to purchase as not approved in Thailand. And, TIT! ! ! !

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Outcry over vaccine shortages

The government has come under fire over its failure to procure sufficient Covid-19 vaccines as the number of new cases continued to soar, with more than 6,000 cases and 61 fatalities confirmed on Friday.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said that the number of new cases is expected to rise further next week.

Boon Vanasin, chairman of the Thonburi Healthcare Group, on Friday said the government's purchase of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines was slow because it did not sign contracts with manufacturers.

During a Channel 3 interview, Dr Boon said he wondered why other Asean countries, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, had already procured these types of vaccines, but Thailand did not have a single dose.

Dr Boon said he contacted people he knew at both Moderna and Pfizer who told him that Thailand did not have contracts signed to purchase the vaccines.

"I want the government to explain why the purchase of mRNA vaccines was slow. We don't have the vaccines even though the mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are the most effective with few side effects," Dr Boon added.

He said that the Thonburi Hospital was ready to buy 50 million vaccine doses from the two producers in October last year, but they would not sell Covid-19 vaccines directly to private companies.

Dr Boon said that the government was waiting for vaccines from only one manufacturer, AstraZeneca, and now the rising demand for the vaccines has far outstripped the company's production.

In response, the government chose to buy Sinovac vaccines but the vaccines' quality was not as good as that of mRNA vaccines, Dr Boon said.

Responding to the criticism, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government and the ministry had no duty to draw up contracts to buy the mRNA vaccines in question or make payments in advance.

Private hospitals must make purchase agreements with the manufacturers and inform the ministry of the number of vaccine doses they want to buy, Mr Anutin said, adding the ministry will act only as a go-between.

Regarding the progress in the purchase of Pfizer vaccines, he said a purchase must follow proper procedures and the terms of the agreement must be studied carefully. Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are expected to arrive in the fourth quarter, he added.

Gen Natthapol Nakpanich, head of the CCSA's operation centre, said the number of infections is expected to continue to rise next week due to the activities and movement of the general public.

However, Gen Natthapol said that the government will not impose additional restrictions to curb the surge in Covid-19, even if the death toll and infection rates increase.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2142535/outcry-over-vaccine-shortages

================================

From Bloomberg News

AstraZeneca to deliver fewer-than-expected doses

Thailand won’t be able to meet its monthly vaccination target of 10 million doses as deliveries from AstraZeneca Plc, the backbone of its inoculation program, will be 40% to 50% fewer than expected because some supplies are allotted for export.

AstraZeneca will deliver 5 million to 6 million doses per month for use in Thailand starting in July because a portion of local production by Siam Bioscience Ltd., its manufacturing partner in Southeast Asia, will be shipped to other countries in the region, Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, said at a seminar on Friday, citing a letter from the company.

The Thai government’s earlier target of administering 10 million doses per month starting in the third quarter relied solely on AstraZeneca shots. To meet that goal, Thailand will now have to secure vaccines from other manufacturers, including China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., Nakorn said.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-02/thailand-falls-short-of-its-vaccination-target-as-deaths-soar

[Guest]

Note which manufacturer the Bangkok Post do not mention by name, as certain topics are sensitive.  

(I'm also not mentioning them by name)

[reader]

36 minutes ago, z909 said:

Note which manufacturer the Bangkok Post do not mention by name, as certain topics are sensitive. 

Quote from above article:

"AstraZeneca will deliver 5 million to 6 million doses per month for use in Thailand starting in July because a portion of local production by Siam Bioscience Ltd., its manufacturing partner in Southeast Asia..."

The name of the manufacturer is frequently cited in all Thai media sources. Deputy PM for Health has made reference to it. Here's a quote from Anutin Charnvirakul earlier this year:

‘ If Siam Bioscience’s plant can’t produce the vaccine, it means nothing to us. This is because the purchase agreement clearly stated that AstraZeneca will provide the vaccine, not Siam Bioscience,’ he revealed.

Dr Supakit Sirilak, the Public Health Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, stated:

“Siam Bioscience has the potential to produce up to 200 million doses."

[Guest]

1 hour ago, reader said:

Quote from above article:

"AstraZeneca will deliver 5 million to 6 million doses per month for use in Thailand starting in July because a portion of local production by Siam Bioscience Ltd., its manufacturing partner in Southeast Asia..."

I was quite clearly referencing the BANGKOK POST article, which does not mention Siam Bioscience.   

Your quote is from the Reuters article.

[reader]

You're correct. You did refer to the Bangkok Post. My apology.

The point I'm making is that Siam Bioscience is not a sensitive entity to be avoided. It's a legitimate company operating in Bangkok.

It is indeed frequently mentioned in reporting in all Thai media sources because it's a manufacturer and distributor of Astra Zenaca's vaccine. That's a publicly acknowledged fact, not speculation.

Representatives of the current Thai administration have discussed it and have been quoted in the local media.

Here's a photo from June 4, 2021, that appeared in the Bangkok Post. It depicts a proud moment for Siam Bioscience and the Health Ministry.

The Ministry of Public Health receives the first 1.8 million doses of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine produced by Siam Bioscience, on Friday

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2126903/az-delivers-first-1-8m-doses-of-locally-produced-covid-19-vaccine

[Guest]

56 minutes ago, reader said:

The point I'm making is that Siam Bioscience is not a sensitive entity to be avoided. It's a legitimate company operating in Bangkok.

 

Agreed.    I'm sure you are aware of the ownership structure and how praise is welcomed.  

Meanwhile, other types of comments  have had ramifications for the originators, according to global media reports.     

[reader]

The ownership of Siam Bioscience has been widely reported in the Thai media. This was made clear in the Bangkok Post earlier this year.

"Thailand-based Siam Bioscience Co Ltd, 100%-owned by the Crown Property Bureau, produces the vaccines for AstraZeneca, with a capacity of 200 million doses a year for exports to Asean."

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2046003/35m-more-shots-to-be-bought-in-2021

Oz cautioned members not to post comments or articles "negative of the monarchy" last year. As far as I have observed, his warning has been complied with.

[Guest]

I'm referring to comments made elsewhere.

According to an article in the FT last month, someone was arrested for criticizing a certain vaccine manufacturer because of who it is owned by and a broad interpretation of the rules limiting what people might say.

Since the Bangkok Post were referring to delays in production, perhaps they decided it safer to refer to Astra Zeneca.

[reader]

From The Thaiger

70% of city Covid cases are Delta strain

One of Thailand’s top virologists is in the news again this week. This time, Dr Yong Poovorawan is making the news for his assertion that 70% of all new Covid cases in Thailand are of the Delta variant.

Earlier this week, Dr Yong Poovorawan faced allegations of mishandling Thailand’s Covid situation. A petition was even started calling for his removal.

Yesterday, Dr Yong posted on Facebook to say that the Delta variant was first detected among construction workers and is the 4th variant to appear on the scene. He went on to re-cap the spread of the Alpha variant from the Thonglor area of Bangkok, and how another wave came from Samut Sakhon through Burmese migrant workers. The doctor warns in his post that people who are infected with the Delta variant often don’t realise where they got it due to the variant’s easy transmissibility.

He says the infections will only go up and recommends everyone is diligent in their Covid precautions.

For example, he suggests if it is not necessary to go outside, don’t.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/renowned-thai-doctor-says-70-of-new-covid-cases-are-delta-variant

===========================

5,916 new infections

Today the public health department has announced 5,916 new infections and 44 Covid-related deaths. 39 of the total are attributed to Thai prisons. The report indicates a stabilisation of numbers after 3 days hovering around the 6,000-per-day level of new cases. But Sundays often return lower-than-usual reports.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/sunday-covid-update-5916-new-infections-provinces

 

[reader]

Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures

From The Thaiger

Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures

The deadline to apply for a 60-day special “Covid” visa extension is July 29, but many should apply at least a week prior as Immigration offices will be closed for public holidays during the last week of the month. Immigration offices in expat-dense areas tend to get packed during the days leading up to the deadlines.

The special visa extension is intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The extension is somewhat of an alternative to so-called “border runs” since people cannot easily leave the country and re-enter on a new visa.

The deadline to apply for a 60-day special “Covid” visa extension is July 29, but many should apply at least a week prior as Immigration offices will be closed for public holidays during the last week of the month. Immigration offices in expat-dense areas tend to get packed during the days leading up to the deadlines.

The special visa extension is intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The extension is somewhat of an alternative to so-called “border runs” since people cannot easily leave the country and re-enter on a new visa.

The extension costs 1,900 baht and can be granted if…

• A foreigner cannot return to their home country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

• There are no return flights available.

• The foreigner has a letter from their embassy requesting a temporary stay.

The Thai Immigration Bureau has pushed the deadline to apply for the extension back several times, usually making the announcements at the last minute. The bureau is likely to push the deadline back by another couple of months given the current situation with limited international flights and Covid-19 still on the rise around the world. There has been no announcement yet about pushing back the deadline.

Foreigners who are on visas with an end date approaching should visit their local immigration office before the visa expires to avoid overstay charges.

Office closures…

Monday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 28 are reserved for Buddhist holidays and to honour HM the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s Birthday. The Thai government initially set Tuesday, July 27 as an extra holiday to promote travel and boost the economy, but with the recent surge of Covid-19 cases, the Cabinet cancelled the special holiday.

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/deadline-to-apply-for-covid-visa-extension-july-29-office-closures

==================================

From Thai Enquirer

Officials question Sinovac efficacy

Thailand’s government must answer some hard questions after the leak of an internal document suggesting a cover-up in terms of Sinovac efficacy, opposition MPs told Thai Enquirer on Monday.

The document, which shows some of the minutes of a June 30 meeting at the public health ministry, reveals a debate between public health officials and academics whether or not to give Pfizer vaccines to medical workers who have already been vaccinated with Sinovac. It has since been verified as real. (Read more here)

Opposition MPs have used the opportunity to press the government on its vaccination program.

“Do these people not care about the lives of the medical workers that are risking their lives to helping the country?” asked Wiroj Lakkhanadisorn, Move Forward Party MP.

Wiroj told the Thai Enquirer that it is now irrefutable that there are people inside the government who do not want to be made to look bad given their previous support of Sinovac. The face saving, extends, worryingly to the government not giving frontline medical workers mRNA vaccines in case it makes them look bad.

Other parliamentarians have chimed into Wiroj’s statements and said that defending the Sinovac vaccine at this point bordered on the absurd.

“Defending the Sinovac Vaccine is no different from defending the GT200 in the past,” said Pichai Naripthaphan, Deputy Leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

Pichai told the Thai Enquirer that giving the third Pfizer as a booster to medical workers was imperative given the inefficiency of the Sinovac vaccine.

“In Indonesia, where medical workers that were given two doses of the Sinovac vaccine, people have continued to be infected causing another lockdown.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/29399/opposition-parliamentarian-blast-government-after-leaked-document-controversy/

[billyhouston]

"Other questions that still need answering include how and why Sinovac became the main Thai vaccine. If it has to be Chinese, then why not Sinopharm? That a Thai conglomerate is a business partner and investor in Sinovac makes the outcome smell fishy."

Bangkok Post    2 July 

[TotallyOz]

The Thailand Intervac website was updated today. It says:

As of today, the AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines are available.

The designated hospitals available for pre-registration include:

1. Phyathai 2 Hospital

 

Pre-registration: 12-16 July from 09.00-12.00 hours only (via phyathai2international.com)

Vaccination Period: 19-30 July 2021 (except weekends)

2. Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital(Directly contact the hospital)

Note: The operating hours to pre-register depend on each hospital.

[zombie]

Thank you TotallyOz for this very useful update.

I have read the first part of the Intervac update which reads:

"Registration for COVID-19 vaccination appointments on ThailandIntervac.com has already been closed, but the Department of Disease Control has adapted the service to make it more convenient and secure for foreigners in Thailand to register. The new vaccine appointment method will be via booking in advance or “pre-registration” with the following hospitals.

Notes: Pre-registration is registration to express intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at one of the designated hospitals. After registration, you must wait for the appointment confirmation from the hospital for the vaccine as per the proposed date and time.

Notes: Pre-registration is registration to express intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at one of the designated hospitals. After registration, you must wait for the appointment confirmation from the hospital for the vaccine as per the proposed date and time."

 

-So my reading of this is no need to try to register with Intervac but book directly with the hospital?

Or have I misunderstood it?

Thx.

 

 

 

[TotallyOz]

6 hours ago, zombie said:

Thank you TotallyOz for this very useful update.

I have read the first part of the Intervac update which reads:

"Registration for COVID-19 vaccination appointments on ThailandIntervac.com has already been closed, but the Department of Disease Control has adapted the service to make it more convenient and secure for foreigners in Thailand to register. The new vaccine appointment method will be via booking in advance or “pre-registration” with the following hospitals.

Notes: Pre-registration is registration to express intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at one of the designated hospitals. After registration, you must wait for the appointment confirmation from the hospital for the vaccine as per the proposed date and time.

Notes: Pre-registration is registration to express intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at one of the designated hospitals. After registration, you must wait for the appointment confirmation from the hospital for the vaccine as per the proposed date and time."

 

-So my reading of this is no need to try to register with Intervac but book directly with the hospital?

Or have I misunderstood it?

Thx.

 

 

 

Yes, you book directly with the hospital and not through that poorly developed site. I have had multiple people contact the hospitals today and they are taking some information but not yet scheduling books. I would assume they will on the date they announce.

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Pfizer deal, 10.1m more Sinovac shots approved

The cabinet has approved the signing of a supply agreement for 20 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine and the purchase of another 10.9 million doses of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine.

For the Pfizer shots, the budget was not revealed. For the Sinovac vaccine, PM spokesman Anucha  Burapachasri said after the meeting that it would not exceed 6.1 billion baht and the budget would come from borrowings under an executive decree.

Also at the meeting, the cabinet allowed the Government Pharmaceutical Organization to buy the Moderna vaccine from Zuellig Pharma Ltd on behalf of private hospitals.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said before the meeting that some vaccine purchase agreements require non-disclosure since the terms and prices were different for each country.

The Pfizer vaccine to be ordered soon will unlikely be the first lot of it to be shipped to Thailand. Some officials of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) had said earlier that 1.5 million doses donated by the United States would arrive this month and next month.

Udom Kachintorn, an adviser to the CCSA, said in the morning that mRNA vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — or AstraZeneca, which is the viral vector type, would be used on some 700,0000 health workers as a booster shot after this group had been fully vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine earlier.

The next group to receive it would be those at risk — the elderly or those with seven underlying conditions.

“The priority is to give a booster shot to some 700,000 fully vaccinated medical workers, who received their second shots 3-4 months ago. The booster shot could be Pfizer — if it arrives in time — or AstraZeneca,” Dr Udom said.

He added a local study on eight people showed a person who had been severely allergic to the Sinovac vaccine after the first shot and got AstraZeneca as the second shot developed antibodies eight times those who got two Sinovac shots.

Dr Udom said mRNA would definitely become the primary platform in the future.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144383/pfizer-deal-10-1m-more-sinovac-shots-approved

==============================

From The Thaiger

Embassy of Switzerland helps expats get vaccinated

The Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok announced that it has secured AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine appointments for 180 Swiss citizens living in Thailand who are at least 55 years old, or who have underlying health conditions.

The embassy says Swiss expats living in other provinces in Thailand can also register for a vaccine, but they must travel to Bangkok and be in the capital by 8am on the day of their appointment. The vaccine will be free. The appointments are scheduled for this month and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Those eligible to register for an appointment include Swiss citizens who are at least 55 years old or who have underlying health conditions of chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes or obesity.

Swiss expats can send their name, date of birth, passport number, address and phone number to Bangkok.event@eda.admin.ch to schedule an appointment.

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/embassy-of-switzerland-in-thailand-helps-swiss-expats-get-vaccinated

[PeterRS]

19 hours ago, billyhouston said:

"Other questions that still need answering include how and why Sinovac became the main Thai vaccine. If it has to be Chinese, then why not Sinopharm? That a Thai conglomerate is a business partner and investor in Sinovac makes the outcome smell fishy."

Bangkok Post    2 July 

As far as I am aware, Sinovac was marketed before Sinopharm which might explain Thailand's preference. Also has any one provided any proof that Sinovac has any Thai partner and investor? I have not heard of one. My understanding is that China donated two lots each of half a million doses of Sinovac to the country. This was followed by Thailand purchasing another 9.5 million doses. A private Foundation is arranging for the purchase of some Sinopharm vaccines to help speed up vaccinations.

The Thai business partner is with Astra Zeneca.

https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG210606104251913

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2137287/2-million-more-sinovac-doses-arrive-in-thailand

On 7/3/2021 at 6:10 PM, reader said:

From Bloomberg News

AstraZeneca to deliver fewer-than-expected doses

Thailand won’t be able to meet its monthly vaccination target of 10 million doses as deliveries from AstraZeneca Plc, the backbone of its inoculation program, will be 40% to 50% fewer than expected because some supplies are allotted for export.

AstraZeneca will deliver 5 million to 6 million doses per month for use in Thailand starting in July because a portion of local production by Siam Bioscience Ltd., its manufacturing partner in Southeast Asia, will be shipped to other countries in the region, Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, said at a seminar on Friday, citing a letter from the company.

The Thai government’s earlier target of administering 10 million doses per month starting in the third quarter relied solely on AstraZeneca shots. To meet that goal, Thailand will now have to secure vaccines from other manufacturers, including China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., Nakorn said.

I find this not just extraordinary but close to downright criminal. According to the Prime Minister in January, the target of 10 million Astra Zeneca deliveries to Thailand per month was the sole domestic requirement for the country. The contract was presumably made on the basis that the manufacturer knew it was able to deliver these for use in Thailand. Presumably also this was the number negotiated by the government in its written contract with the producer. Now this number will be reduced by 40% to 50% "because some supplies are allotted for export." For export? Is it not a Thai company? Did it not do a deal with Astra Zeneca's UK manufacturer to produce vaccines for Thailand? Was that not why it was given the contract? The government needs to explain this situation quickly - if it hasn't already done so.

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thailands-astrazeneca-supply-all-good-now-stop-talking-about-it-pm/

[reader]

One of the most troubling statements in today's vaccine news is the admission that the three most sought after vaccines (Pfizer, Modern and Astra Zeneca) will be prioritized as "booster" shots to 700,000 medical workers who have already been fully vaccinated with Sinovac.

It's not that the health care personnel don't deserve top of the line protection. They do. Sinovac's efficacy, however, is considered so poorly that this surprising step has to be taken.

This seems to leave Sinovac in the better-than-nothing category.

At the same time, however, the government is acquiring 10.1 million more doses of Sinovac.

To be fair, Thailand finds itself trapped between a rock and a hard place. It can't achieve it's desired rollout without Sinovac despite its awareness that it's inferior to the alternative vaccines that cannot be rapidly acquired for myriad reasons.

It's similar to the centuries-old military dilemma: you don't go to war with the army you wish you had; you go with the army you have.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Is it not a Thai company? Did it not do a deal with Astra Zeneca's UK manufacturer to produce vaccines for Thailand? Was that not why it was given the contract? The government needs to explain this situation quickly - if it hasn't already done so.

If we look at India, Astra Zeneca licensed out the vaccine to The Serum Institute.    I believe they were scheduled to make 100 million doses a month quite some time ago.   In the case of the Serum Institute, no one refers to Astra Zeneca, since it's a licensing deal AND India has free speech.   They even apply a different brand name.

In the case of Thailand, I would imagine it's also a licensing deal, but nothing seems to be published to clarify this.  Of course, some parties avoid referring to the local manufacturer, possibly as they have seen reports of someone arrested for criticizing that manufacturer.

 

[PeterRS]

8 hours ago, z909 said:

In the case of Thailand, I would imagine it's also a licensing deal, but nothing seems to be published to clarify this.  Of course, some parties avoid referring to the local manufacturer, possibly as they have seen reports of someone arrested for criticizing that manufacturer.

I perfectly understand the 'niceties' here. But if as we were informed the government signed a contract for 10 million doses monthly, citizens of Thailand should be informed why contracts were subsequently signed to permit 40% or 50% of Thailand's amount to be sent overseas. Seems to me that's a government issue. If anyone can point to a media story that this was not a government decision, then I'll take the hint and shut up on the matter.

[billyhouston]

Reuters reports that:

"Thailand's Siam Bioscience last year signed a technology transfer agreement with AstraZeneca to produce 200 million doses per year, with 61 million doses going to Thailand this year and the rest to other Southeast Asian countries." The terms of the contract may require in the case of delays, that the vaccines are shared pro rata, but the article does not give detailed terms.

[reader]

From The Thaiger

Vaccines for foreigners: 105k AstraZeneca, 150k Pfizer

While the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced increased testing, more field hospitals, quarantining at home for mild infections, community quarantines, and even the application of traditional Thai remedies to supplement modern medicine, vaccination is still the most effective solution to winning the battle against Covid-19.

Their deputy spokesperson laid out the plans for the 1.5 million Pfizer vaccines en route, and the 1.05 AstraZeneca doses already arrived in Thailand as a donation from Japan. It had been announced earlier that the vaccines would be focused on the greater Bangkok area residents, especially those over 60 years old or at risk due to one of 7 designated health conditions but now included others including foreigners.

The CCSA added frontline workers to the list of those most in need, and also people like students, diplomats, and athletes that need the Pfizer vaccine to travel abroad. And they singled out foreigners living in Thailand, especially those with cancer or chronic diseases, as in dire need of vaccines.

And so the government gave some exact figures on distribution this week. They say 945,000 AstraZeneca vaccines will go to Thai people while 105,000 are earmarked for foreigners. Aside from Bangkok and the surrounding 5 provinces, some will be made available in Chonburi, Phuket, Rayong, and Chachoengsao.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/vaccines-for-foreigners-105k-astrazeneca-150k-pfizer

[vinapu]

as rich countries are slowly but surely approaching state of full vaccination , at least for all willing to, more and more vaccines will be available  for the rest of world and we may rapid decrease in case there as well unless , God  forbid , some 'lambda ' or ' kappa' strain will appear   

[Patanawet]

I don't understand why there aren't vaccine 'factories' springing up all over the world as there is going to be a huge demand for vaccines in the long term.

Of course there is enough money in private bank accounts here and abroad (!) to set up more manufacturing facilities as well as a public health service to put the UK's NHS to shame.