Health Minister wants Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine trials speeded up

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Back in the news again, Thailand’s expect-the-unexpected Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, says he wants to see trials of a homegrown Covid-19 vaccine speeded up.

Thai PBS World reports that Anutin wants to cut the current six month development period in half, saying guidelines for vaccine development must be completed in three months if production is set to take approximately eighteen months.

The Government is currently seeking 1.9 trillion baht in loans, with around 45 billion baht expected to be spent on vaccine development, while Anutin says he also wants relevant bodies from the private sectors involved. He adds that Thailand is ready and willing to work with other countries in the development of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“Prior to going into production, a vaccine must go through rigorous testing, first on animals and then on humans, to ensure that it’s both safe and effective.”

See earlier story HERE .

SOURCE: Thai PBS World