Thai government earmarks 6 billion baht for 26 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine
The Thai Cabinet is to put aside over 6 billion baht to procure 26 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca, in conjunction with researchers at Oxford University in the UK. Nation Thailand reports that the National Vaccine Institute will be given 2.38 billion baht to reproduce the vaccine, in an effort to reduce the cost from the current 600 baht to 150 baht per jab. The rest of the funds, which will come from the national budget for emergencies and essentials, will be split into 1.59 billion baht for reserving vaccines and 2.08 billion for vaccine management and distribution.
The move comes as the world welcomes positive news from other vaccine developers, including Pfizer and BioNTech, as well as US giant, Moderna. The decision has been confirmed by government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri, who says the funds for vaccine management and distribution will only be spent once the its effectiveness has been proven.
“The Cabinet has agreed to earmark funds for the purchase of vaccines from AstraZeneca because the Public Health Ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with it. Thailand’s very own Siam Bioscience company is also preparing to produce vaccines.”
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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