Covid vaccines approved in Thailand explained
People across the world are hoping the vaccines will help reduce fatalities and finally bring the Covid-19 crisis to an end.
Like other countries, Thailand has also been working on inoculating 70 per cent of its population to achieve herd immunity. To get a jab in Thailand, people can either register through the “Mor Phrom” (Doctors Ready) application or at medical facilities nationwide. However, people are still concerned about which brand of vaccine they will get.
As of May 14, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved four vaccines:
Sinovac
The inactivated vaccine, manufactured by a private Chinese company, was approved by the Thai FDA on February 22.
According to the World Health Organisation, this vaccine effectively protects people below the age of 60.
Dr Nakhon Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, said the vaccine offers 50.7 per cent protection against infection and cuts down the chance of developing moderate symptoms by 83.7 per cent and severe symptoms by 100 per cent. This is a two-dose vaccine.
AstraZeneca
This adenovirus type vaccine, developed jointly by the Swedish firm AstraZeneca and UK’s Oxford University, was approved in Thailand in late January.
This vaccine has been found to offer 54.1 per cent protection against infection and cuts down the chance of developing moderate symptoms by 70.4 per cent and 100 per cent against severe symptoms.
Recent studies show that the vaccine is more effective if the second dose is delivered within an eight to 12-week interval.
Johnson & Johnson
This adenovirus type vaccine was approved by the Thai FDA on March 25.
It offers 66.9 to 85.4 per cent protection against moderate and severe infection through just one dose of the vaccine.
Moderna
This mRNA type vaccine was approved on May 13 and has been categorised as an alternative vaccine that can be procured by the private sector.
Dr Norraphat Pisirikarn, acting director at the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, said this vaccine can stimulate immunity against Covid-19 3.4 times higher than plasma therapy.
“Fourteen days after the second jab, the vaccine offers 94.1 per cent protection to people below 65 and 86.4 per cent to those older than 65,” Norraphat said. “It reduces the severity of infections and mortality by 100 per cent.”
Recent tests show that it is effective against the UK B117 and South African B1351 mutations, he said.
