Hib vaccine should be fifth ‘basic shot’ for all Thai kids: top doctor

The government had not considered providing the Hib vaccine because Asian people were believed to develop immunity to the disease easier than people in the US and Europe, according to Dr Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, president of the Paediatric Infectious Disease Society of Thailand (PIDST). 

On behalf of the PIDST, Tawee said he would meet the public health minister over the issue. Many countries with similar incomes to Thailand provide the vaccine to children, including the Philippines where a “sin tax” funds the cost.

Tawee said the vaccine would prevent a throat-based bacterial disease that has a fatality rate of 10 per cent and leads to disabilities in 20 to 30 per cent of cases. 

He said Hib, which would only cost Bt40 a shot, should be included as the fifth of the country’s free basic vaccines. 

There are now four basic vaccines – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Hepatitis B – which cost the state Bt60 for each combined “shot”. Adding Hib would raise the price to Bt100 for a five-vaccine shot.

Tawee made his remarks at a press conference ahead of the 8th Asian Congress of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (www.acpid2016.com), which will be held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok from November 7 to 10.