Covid jabs available for all without appointment from June
The National Vaccine Committee on Wednesday gave the green light for residents nationwide to get a Covid-19 jab without making an appointment from June onwards.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the committee also approved boosting procurement of vaccines from 100 million to 150 million doses, as well as negotiations to acquire vaccines to combat Covid-19 variants.
Anutin said that to create herd immunity, the government will conduct mass vaccination of three groups from June onwards.
1. Those registered via the Mohpromt (Doctors Ready) application.
2. Those requesting vaccination as a group, such as factories or enterprises.
3. Those unable to book a jab online or facing problems with vaccination registration.
Also, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation is cooperating with the private sector to procure alternative sources of vaccine for employees, said Anutin.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) plans to inoculate 70 per cent of all residents in each province, aided by monthly local production of 10 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses from June.
Bangkokians unable to book a jab or register online can get their vaccination at vaccination stations in Bang Sue Grand Station, Chamchuri Square, Central Plaza Ladprao and The Mall Bang Kapi, said DDC chief Dr Opas Karnkawinpong.
He indicated that around 30 per cent of jabs will be booked through the Mohpromt app, 50 per cent through hospitals and 20 per cent without appointments.
"Provincial Public Health Offices can conduct mass vaccination without waiting for permission," he said. "People must evaluate any side effects from the jab via the Mohpromt app. If they don’t have the app, medical staff will conduct the follow-up."
He added that the DDC will liaise with the Foreign Ministry to ensure the jabs are made available to foreigners in Thailand.
The department will also arrange vaccines for migrant workers at risk of infection in places such as large factories and markets, Opas said.