THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Thailand orders 25 million doses of J&J and Pfizer vaccine

Thailand orders 25 million doses of J&J and Pfizer vaccine

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha kicked off Thailand’s delayed mass vaccination drive on Monday by insisting there would be enough jabs to cover the whole population. He added that Thailand had ordered 20 million doses of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and 5 million Pfizer vaccine.

Prayut made the pledge on a visit to Bang Sue Central Station, Bangkok’s main vaccination hub. The premier said more locally made AstraZeneca jabs and Chinese Sinovac vaccine would also be available soon.

The government aims to vaccinate 50 million people or 70 per cent of the population to achieve herd immunity by the end of this year.

Vaccine supplies to each province would vary according to their infection rate, the PM added.

Vaccination is being offered at hospitals, health centres and public buildings across the country, though limited supply of vaccines means some areas have received fewer doses than expected.

The government has signed a contract for 20 million doses of J&J and 5 million Pfizer vaccine, Prayut said. It had also ordered 8 million more doses of Sinovac, in line with the plan to secure 100 million doses for Thailand. Prayut said the arrival date of vaccines would be revealed once negotiations with the makers were complete.

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