Over 200,000 sign petition calling for mRNA vaccines

Over 200,000 people, including prominent Thai doctors and medical practitioners, have signed a petition demanding the government purchase more effective vaccines and administer them for free. A petition from the Mor Mai Thon (Doctors Won’t Tolerate It) group has been signed by 215,409 medical practitioners, calling on the government to purchase mRNA vaccines.

The Bangkok Post reports that the campaign was run on the Change.org petition site and yesterday, several members of the group, dressed all in black, hand delivered it to the parliament president and to government and opposition politicians. It’s understood Somboon Uthaiwiankul, secretary to the parliament president, accepted the petition.

Group leader Santi Kitwattanapaiboon says the government must prioritise the procurement of highly effective mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, adding that they should be used as the primary vaccines and administered for free.

“These vaccines are highly effective against the variants of the coronavirus.”

Santi is also demanding that the government be transparent about its vaccine procurement and distribution practices, saying the public has a right to the information.

Earlier this week, Cabinet approved the purchase of 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, in addition to another 10.9 million Sinovac doses. It has also given the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation the green light to purchase Moderna doses on behalf of private hospitals.

Natthapol Nakpanich from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has acknowledged the petition and says the government is ready to hear the opinions of others. He says the hope is to have a number of Pfizer doses delivered this month or next, which will be given to healthcare workers on a voluntary basis.

In other news, the Bangkok Post reports that parliament president Chuan Leekpai has shot down a suggestion that MPs, senators, and parliamentary employees should be given a third booster vaccine. Chuan says any available boosters should go to healthcare workers first.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post