Sorry seems to be the hardest word… Or so the song goes. But the Thai PM has managed it (admittedly some would say it took a while). Prayut Chan-o-cha has apologised for the hiccups with the national vaccine rollout, admitting yesterday that there had been delays.
The Bangkok Post reports that the PM insists the situation will improve with the arrival of additional vaccine doses. He says distribution had been limited due to doses arriving gradually, in batches, as opposed to all at once.
“I must apologise to anyone who experienced inconvenience. The government will try to acquire as many more vaccines as possible and not just wait for contracted vaccines. I believe that more vaccine doses will be delivered next month and services at inoculation stations in the provinces will be more conveniently managed. We do not want people who registered for vaccinations to suffer further delays.”
According to the Bangkok Post report, initial distribution will focus on infected people, high-risk employees, and key tourism and economic areas. The government has an ambitious aim to administer at least 100 million vaccine doses. Contracts have been signed to purchase 61 million doses of the locally-produced AstraZeneca vaccine, in addition to 6 million doses of the Chinese Sinovac.
The PM says the government plans to order a further 8 million Sinovac doses, along with 25 million doses of the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Added into the mix eventually will be Thailand’s own Covid-19 vaccine.
The national vaccine rollout kicked off on Monday, when over 400,000 doses were administered. Over 4 million people in the country have now received at least 1 dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, Kiattiphum Wongrajit from the Public Health Ministry says another 1 million Sinovac doses are due to arrive tomorrow and another AstraZeneca shipment is expected on June 14. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says all provinces have received vaccine doses and that it’s up to provincial officials to ensure they’re widely distributed.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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“ government plans to order a further 8 million Sinovac doses, ” – a fool and his money are soon parted. That’s only enough for about 2.7M people.
I ask how long the Pfizer and Johnson
It’s always next month 555
You know what….maybe this guy isn’t so bad after all.
Will be here as those are the best for these bew
New variants because Moderna they say will be here by October that is very late
All provinces have received vaccine doses, yes the people of Sakon Nakhon are very grateful for the 100 doses and will distribute it to 0001% of its population . Thank you
Words are cheap actions speak louder than any words.
Words are cheap. What the public demands, and deserves is a P.M finger severed at the first joint.
Erm… yesterday it was ‘We’re making history with our amazing rollout’.
Today its ‘Sorry for the terrible rollout’.
Even incompetent with their messaging.
You’re forgiven now F*&(^$ off……
THIS MAN IS THE BIGGEST LAUGHING STOCK IN SOUTH EAST ASIA!!! HE’S A COMPLETE “TOOL!!!!!”
If the truth be known, governments around the world have been slow to react and slower to distribute the “fruits” of our best scientific minds and their discoveries. If only the politicians didn’t get in the way of scientific advancements and their distribution. I think we are all well and truly over the apologies and/or assurances of politicians. We want to see vaccines freely available to everyone. That is what we need. To stop asking from our governments. We need to start demanding that governments “get out of the way”, so that people can avail of what scientific discovery has provided.
@Jesus Monroe – I just wish Chanocha would read all this and realise just how unpopular he is here in Thailand!
They ordering vaccines you hear it every day, wonder what they going to do with them because nobody knows where to go or what to do?
well, at least that. many politicians would not do something like this.
Amazing Thailand, the land of smiles AND lies
Everyone that gets caught always says “sorry” or is “remorseful”. I live by always conducting myself in a way that never requires “sorry” or an “apology” for anything major. Accidently bumping into someone while walking requires a polite sorry, not an “asking for forgiveness” sorry. Easy forgiveness begets more questionable behavior…especially with public servants. Don’t be fooled, this guy has heard complaints about lack of vaccines for months.