Covid vaccine

Anything and everything about Thailand
Post Reply
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

Royal Academy taking orders for Sinopharm

14 Jul 2021

An application will be made available for download for ordering the Sinopharm vaccine on Thursday and Friday, according to the Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA), which imports the vaccine.

The alternative vaccine will be sold at 888 baht per dose, the same price as other agencies buying from the academy are charged. The academy has been supplying the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm vaccine to local administrative bodies for local distribution.

CRA secretary-general Nithi Mahanonda said if possible the price may be lowered. The first batch of vaccines is available for order by 30,000-50,000 people.

The CRA is also in the process of placing orders for alternative vaccines of other brands for use as booster shots, he said.

After the first batch of orders for the Sinopharm vaccine is complete, the next round will start in four to five days. The intervals will ensure the hospitals have prepared enough storage space for the vaccine to be administered to those who ordered it.

The vaccine needs to be kept at the required temperature both during delivery and at its destination.

After the vaccine is ordered via the app and money transfer is complete, arrangements will be made for the vaccine to be administered at either the state-run or private hospital of choice.

The CRA was looking to import other vaccines as booster shots to help contain the spread of new Covid-19 variants more effectively. The academy has been able to order such vaccines in limited amounts due to the state of its finances and the steep global demand for them. The backlog for the vaccines has stretched to the middle of next year.

"Manufacturers are constantly improving their vaccines," he said.

Dr Nithi said immunisation is essential for protecting against emerging strains of the virus. Before ordering, the CRA must study the types of vaccines and their qualities.

The CRA has also announced it has no policy to offer mixing and matching of vaccine doses, except for people who are the subject of medical research, those who develop undesirable side effects, or those allergic to the first vaccine shot.

The academy said it still recommends first and second jabs using a vaccine by the same manufacturer.

The academy will accept no responsibility for any side effects experienced by anyone who procures a vaccine from the CRA for a cross-brand inoculation or as an improper booster shot.

It also warned that insurance may not extend coverage in such an event.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -sinopharm
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

Cross-dose plan to go ahead despite widespread confusion

by Mongkol Bangprapa

15 July, 2021

The government is going ahead with its plan to mix doses of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha clarified he is not against cross-vaccination.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri spoke on Wednesday to dispel confusion among hospitals and health officers after Prime Minister Prayut called for a thorough study of the jab policy shift during Tuesday's teleconferenced cabinet meeting.

Gen Prayut wants to take into account the safety of vaccine recipients, he said.

The prime minister's reaction followed a warning from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday that individuals should not mix and match different vaccines.

"Individuals should not decide for themselves, public health agencies can, based on available data. Data from mix and match studies of different vaccines are awaited -- immunogenicity and safety both need to be evaluated," WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said.

Virus expert Yong Poovorawan on Tuesday was adamant that mixing Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines was safe and that it is Thailand's best option in the fight against the fast-spreading Delta variant.

On Wednesday, Mr Anucha said the prime minister did not order the plan to be cancelled, but merely hoped the committee would listen to more reactions first.

"The prime minister has no policy to stop the mixing of doses. He asks that all sides be receptive to the view of the National Communicable Disease Committee about cross-doses and that they make careful consideration."

The government's priority was to see more people inoculated, as that would reduce the rate of daily fatalities and new infections, he added.

Mr Anucha said the Delta variant's rampant spread and easy transmission was wreaking havoc in Thailand and around the world. The surge in infections and fatalities can be curbed with more people getting immunised.

Meanwhile, the provincial health office in Nonthaburi on Wednesday opted to postpone its plan to give people who have received a single dose of the Sinovac vaccine a follow-up dose of AstraZeneca as their second jab.

Nonthaburi was the first province to announce it was embracing the ministry's new cross-dose policy after it was endorsed by the National Communicable Disease Committee on Monday. The panel was chaired by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Nonthaburi announced its decision on Tuesday, only to immediately suspend its implementation on Wednesday morning.

In Chiang Mai, the provincial public health office also announced its suspension. "In order to end the confusion, all health units are ordered to stop vaccine services on July 14," Hang Dong Hospital said on its Facebook account.

Mr Anutin said the committee meeting on Monday concluded the mixing of Sinovac for the first dose with AstraZeneca for the second would yield a better defence against the Delta variant, which was first detected in India.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -confusion
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

For those of you in Pattaya who are waiting for the Moderna vaccine, Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital is doing a survey of its patients to get an idea of how many doses to order.

If that applies to you, I suggest completing the survey. You will need your passport number and your hospital number. If you don't have your hospital ID card, if you have a prescription label or an appointment sheet, it is there. You also can just call the hospital and get your hospital number if you don't have it.

The survey is very simple and takes only a couple minutes. You must complete the survey by Thursday, July 22.

The survey site tells you to scan the QR code, which is fine if you wish to do the survey using your smartphone. But if you click virtually anywhere on the web page, the same survey comes up and you can complete it on your computer.

Click this link to do the survey: https://bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/h ... rm-en.html
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

This is getting to be like shopping in a North Korean grocery store. The store is open, but nothing on the shelves . . .

This article is saying delivery of AstraZeneca is likely to be delayed until May, 2022.

I hope those of you who went to Bangkok for the AstraZeneca vaccine, when it comes time for your second dose, there will even be second doses available.
__________________________

AstraZeneca delays 61m doses

Govt vaccine rollout dealt further blow

by Nattaya Chetchotiros

16 July, 2021

AstraZeneca has asked Thailand to extend the timeline for the delivery of 61 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine until May next year, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said.

The move is expected to disrupt the country's already-slow vaccine rollout further.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Sathit said the delivery timeline originally scheduled for the end of this year looks like it will be delayed until May next year, though the company has promised to try its best to stick to the original schedule.

"Normally, a vaccine manufacturer does not make such a commitment. It will do it if possible. But the company does not have enough production capacity to respond to rising global demand," Mr Sathit said.

But if any country that has placed orders for AstraZeneca vaccines is able to procure vaccines from other manufacturers first, the government will negotiate with the company to deliver the vaccines to Thailand instead, Mr Sathit said.

He added the company will deliver one-third of its output to Thailand, though Thailand has tried to negotiate for as many doses as possible, or 40% of the vaccines produced in the country.

"Currently, we have administered the doses that are available to us. This month, we have procured 10 million doses so it is still going according to plan," Mr Sathit said.

Under the original vaccine roadmap, the AstraZeneca vaccines, made by local licensed manufacturer Siam Bioscience, would provide the government with 10 million doses of the vaccine each month from July until the end of the year.

But the government recently admitted the company can supply Thailand only 5-6 million doses a month, or one third of its total supply, while the rest will be exported.

The government said on Wednesday it is considering regulations to limit its Covid-19 vaccine export quota from the country without specifying the vaccine name.

"We have to wait for AstraZeneca vaccines day by day. That's not easy because the vaccine market is dominated by big companies worth more than our annual budget," said Mr Sathit.

He said the government may have a timeline for the delivery of 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine this year, mainly from AstraZeneca and together with Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines.

"The Department of Disease Control (DDC) will sign a contract on July 16 with Pfizer to procure 20 million doses. The Government Pharmaceutical Organization will also sign a deal with Moderna for five million doses next week," Mr Sathit said.

All will be delivered in October. This will be the vaccine rollout planned for next year," he added.

Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), on Thursday said he will meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul next week to seek clarification on supplies of AstraZeneca vaccines.

The government previously promised that 10 million doses would arrive last month and 10 million more would be delivered this month. But as it happens, the number has fallen short, and only 10% of workers in the business sector have been vaccinated, Mr Supant said.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said Prime Minister Prayut has assured the public that AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines, which are the country's main vaccines, and Sinopharm, which is an alternative vaccine, are effective against the worst effects of Covid-19.

The government also plans to import mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, as well as viral vector vaccines from Johnson & Johnson, to ensure there is a wide range of safe and effective vaccines for Thais, the spokesman said.

"We are actively working with the government in Thailand and governments across Southeast Asia to continue to deliver equitable vaccine access to the region," AstraZeneca said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -61m-doses
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

Update on free vaccination for elderly foreigners

By Barry Kenyon

July 20, 2021

Bangkok’s Bang Sue vaccination centre reports a continuing number of expats 75-plus who can be vaccinated free with Astra Zeneca via a walk-in facility from 9 am to 4 pm. Today, the centre’s management announced that, starting Wednesday July 21, the carer of the farang (if necessary) can be vaccinated free too, even if under 75. No end date has been stated.

Applicants need to carry their passport and also proof of address in Thailand, such as a driving licence, house book, a rental agreement, or even a utility bill in their name. No copies are required, although a check is made to ensure the applicant has a one year visa or better. The only medical test is via a blood pressure machine, with a very generous 181/100 being the maximum permitted for inoculation.

Various other foreign groups are also being vaccinated this week at Bang Sue, for example applicants with prior appointments via certain foreign embassies. But they should not be confused with this “oldies’ special.” The centre, which has already covid-vaccinated more than 2,500 foreigners, is designated in late 2021 to become the largest railway centre in South East Asia with around 26 platforms.

Those travelling to Bangkok from Pattaya may (or may not) meet road check points on the outskirts of the metropolis. They are advised to download https://covid-19.in.th/ to access a QR code. The site is currently in Thai, so a friend or relative may be required to give assistance. Prior registration for this particular scheme is not possible: walk-in only! However, Pattaya expats travelling on Tuesday July 21 reported no road checks which were difficult to satisfy.


Note: The Bang Sue centre stresses that the facility is only for unvaccinated farang to receive their first jab. They will be given an appointment letter for the second inoculation during their visit. The system can pick up queue jumpers, from this or other centres, who are thus warned to keep to their specified times and dates.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/update ... ers-364197
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

I've changed the topic title to "Covid vaccine" since it is no longer specific to registering at hospitals.
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

Buying Sinovac? You'll have to figure out why. For me, it's on my "I Don't Get It" list.
If you want Sinovac, by all means go and get it. I'll be waiting for Pfizer and Moderna.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand to procure an additional 10.9 million doses of Sinovac vaccines to fight against Covid-19 domestic spread

By Nop Meechukhun

21 July 2021

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has ordered an additional 10.9 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine as an urgent case, hoping to help control the Covid-19 spread.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, told reporters today, July 21st, that the department has signed a formal request to the Director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) for assistance in importing additional vaccines (Sinovac) to cope with the domestic spread of the Covid-19.

This followed the Cabinet Committee’s approval of a loan to support the provision of vaccines against Covid-19 for the population in the country.

The Department of Disease Control, therefore, considered that in order to prevent, control, and enhance immunity for 70 percent of the population, according to the Prime Minister’s goal, and people in the risk groups, the procurement of additional 10.9 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine as an urgent case is necessary.

TPN media notes that many comments online were negative as many Thai residents seem to prefer that the government focus on other brands and types of vaccines.

https://tpnnational.com/2021/07/21/thai ... ic-spread/
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

Thailand’s very own mRNA vaccine ‘will be ready for use by yearend’

By : The Nation

July 22, 2021

Chulalongkorn University expects to complete the first phase of human trials of its mRNA Covid-19 vaccine within this month, Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, deputy chair of the Senate’s public health committee, said on social media.

He explained that the trial, which kicked off in June, is being conducted on two groups of volunteers – ages 18-55 and 65-75.

The trial is using doses of three sizes – 10, 25 and 50 micrograms (mcg). In comparison, the Pfizer and Moderna doses are 30mcg and 100mcg respectively.

Chalermchai said the locally produced vaccine can be stored for three months at a temperature of between 2-8 degrees. In comparison, the Pfizer vaccine can only be stored for a month and the Moderna jab for just a week in these temperatures.

Chalermchai also said the university aims to boost the vaccine’s efficacy against new variants.

He added that the locally developed mRNA vaccine will be ready for use by the fourth quarter of this year or early next year, while the second version of the vaccine will be available three to six months later.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003605
Jun

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Jun »

The Nation wrote: Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:20 am He added that the locally developed mRNA vaccine will be ready for use by the fourth quarter of this year or early next year, while the second version of the vaccine will be available three to six months later.
That seems like an ambitious schedule, although of course "ready for use" doesn't necessarily mean it's approved AND has 10 million per month rolling off the production line.
For reference, here are timelines for the other mRNA vaccine development in 2020. I think the Astra Zeneca phase 3 trial started earlier.
In all these cases, the phase 1/2 trials had started much earlier in the year and the Thai phase 1/2 trial is only announced in late July.

The other factor is that by the time they launch the phase 3 trial, hopefully Thai infections from the current wave ought to be falling, so the wait to gather a sufficient number of infections in the trial will be longer. If they were doing the phase 3 trial right now, they would gather data at quite some speed.

As always, getting the first decent vaccine available is probably the best policy for the individual. In Thailand, that seems to be the Astra Zeneca.

Image
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 21459
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1306 times

Re: Covid vaccine

Post by Gaybutton »

Registration is now available for AstraZeneca in 5 more provinces. Unfortunately Chonburi, Pattaya's province, is not one of them.

If you reside in one of these provinces - listed on the form - you can register for your first dose. And the good news is the form is in English.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp ... A/viewform
Post Reply