Covid-19 vaccine importers asked to draw up purchase plan to deal with more virus mutations

Six Covid-19 vaccine importers attended the meeting – AstraZeneca (Thailand), Pfizer (Thailand), Zuellig Pharma, Janssen-Cilag, Biogenetech and the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO).

Department of Disease Control director-general Opas Karnkawinpong said the National Vaccine Committee has resolved to procure 120 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines next year covering mRNA, viral vector and inactivated types.

He said six Covid-19 vaccine importers have reported progress in new vaccine development, production capacity, delivery schedules and vaccination methods.

“Each party will apply information received during the meeting and report on their progress periodically,” Opas said.

He also said he was grateful that a local inactivated vaccine developed by the GPO had passed the first human-trial phase as it would help the country combat the virus mutation in the future.

He added that the ministry would discuss procuring other types of Covid-19 vaccines later, such as protein-based sub-unit ones.