covid-19 vaccination
- Thailand Travel
Thailand to reintroduce Covid-19 vaccine requirement for all visitors
Anyone wishing to gain entry into Thailand will soon be required to show proof of receiving at least two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine prior to their arrival. The measure will apply to all arrivals in the kingdom regardless of nationality. The Ministry of Public Health is planning to reintroduce the old entry requirement amid concerns that Chinese tourists will import…
- World News
World Health Organisation says Covid-19 situation in North Korea likely deteriorating
The World Health Organisation says it has received no update on the Covid-19 situation in North Korea, but can only assume it’s getting worse. This contradicts claims from Pyongyang that the country is making “progress” against the virus. According to an AFP report, North Korea confirmed its first Covid-19 infections on May 12. However, last week, state media announced that…
- Covid-19 News
Health officials call for more elderly Thais to get their Covid-19 boosters
According to the Department of Disease Control, around 6 million elderly Thais have yet to receive a booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Dr. Taweesap Siraprapasiri says the reason for this is that people are either worried about potential side-effects or they feel they don’t need a booster. However, he adds that 43% of elderly people have received 3 doses,…
- Covid-19 News
Prominent Thai lung specialist dismisses claim that mRNA boosters cause lymphoma
A leading lung specialist at Bangkok’s Vichaiyut Hospital has completely dismissed claims that mRNA boosters against Covid-19 can cause ‘lymphoma’. According to a Nation Thailand report, Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs has rubbished the claims as “fake news”, urging Thais not to believe them, citing a long list of evidence of the vaccines’ efficacy and no credible reports linking the mRNA vaccines…
- World News
Kremlin says Russia willing to supply North Korea with Covid-19 vaccines
A Kremlin spokesperson says Russia is willing to consider any request from North Korea for Covid-19 vaccines. According to a Reuters report, Dmitry Peskov says that if such a request is made, it will be responded to promptly. “North Korean comrades are well aware of our various inoculations; they are aware of our extensive experience with Covid. If there are…
- Covid-19 News
Survey shows fear of side-effects preventing Thai parents from vaccinating children
The chief of Thailand’s Health Services Department has expressed concern that parents are refusing to vaccinate their children against Covid-19, due to a fear of side-effects. Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai was responding to a survey that shows many parents won’t vaccinate their kids as they’re more concerned about the effects of the vaccine than the effects of the virus. According to…
- Covid-19 News
Studies show Omicron infection in vaccinated people “turbo-charges” immunity
Contracting the Omicron variant (of Covid-19) while fully vaccinated could boost your immunity to the extent that it can fight off a variety of coronavirus variants, according to new research. The findings were revealed in 2 US studies from the University of Washington and from vaccine producer BioNTech. If backed up by real-world data, this could be a sign that…
- Covid-19 News
Thai lung specialist highlights Covid-19 risks for elderly unvaccinated
With around 1 in 6 elderly Thai people still not vaccinated against Covid-19, a lung specialist has taken to Facebook to warn of the health risks they face. The elderly population is among the group at highest risk of developing severe Covid-19 symptoms and dying from the virus. To illustrate the danger, Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs has highlighted 2 recent cases…
- Covid-19 News
Thai virologist calls for young children to be protected as under 5s die of Covid-19
A leading Thai virologist is calling on parents to protect children under the age of 5 from contracting Covid-19, as there is no vaccine to protect them. According to a Thai PBS World report, Dr Yong Poovorawan from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, so far this year, 51 children have died of Covid-19, 39 of whom were under the age…
- Covid-19 News
Medic says Covid-19 will not be endemic while low vaccination can spark a new wave
The dean of Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine says Covid-19 is still capable of triggering a fresh wave and that more people must get vaccinated to counteract this. Dr Prasit Watanapa says while everyone now wants to see an end to the pandemic, Thailand is not yet at the stage where it can declare the virus endemic. Prasit was speaking…
- Covid-19 News
Low demand, supply surplus leads J&J to suspend sales forecast of Covid vaccine
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson says it’s currently unable to provide a sales forecast for its Covid-19 vaccine. According to the firm, vaccine hesitancy in low-income countries, coupled with existing low demand in wealthier nations, has led to a surplus of stock. J&J had previously forecast sales of up to US$3.5 billion for this year, according to a Reuters report.…
- Covid-19 News
Half the population has gained herd immunity, government target is 80%
The Department of Disease Control says around 50% of the Thai population has attained herd immunity against Covid-19, but the government’s target is 80%. According to Dr Chakkarat Pitayowonganon, around 10% of the population has contracted the virus to date. This figure, combined with the numbers who’ve received 2 doses of a Covid vaccine, followed by a booster, means around…
- Covid-19 News
Health ministry revises criteria for administration of booster vaccine doses
The Public Health Ministry has revised the formula for the administration of Covid-19 booster vaccine doses, according to a Nation Thailand report. The confirmation follows chatter on social media that the ministry had changed the criteria, prompting Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Centre to investigate and confirm it was true. According to the Nation Thailand report, the new criteria for getting a…
- Covid-19 News
Health minister urges over 2 million elderly to come forward for vaccination
As the government plans to administer booster vaccines to 70% of the elderly population before Songkran, Thailand’s health minister is urging them to come forward. According to a Bangkok Post report, Anutin Charnvirakul is telling 2.1 million elderly people to make sure they’re protected before the Thai New Year holiday next month. The Department of Disease Control is liaising with…
- Covid-19 News
Health ministry approves half-dose of mRNA vaccine as booster for elderly
In a bid to persuade Thailand’s elderly population, and those with chronic illnesses, to get a Covid-19 booster, health officials have approved using half the usual dose. Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit says the half-dose will be an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer, adding that officials are acknowledging a fear of side-effects among the elderly. “To deal with this fear, I have…
- Covid-19 News
Government ramping up vaccination of the elderly ahead of Songkran holiday
Health authorities in Thailand are accelerating the Covid-19 vaccine rollout for the elderly population ahead of the Songkran holiday in April. Sumanee Wacharasin from the CCSA says the government wants to ensure people over the age of 60 receive a booster dose to maintain high immunity. The move comes as many people plan to return home, reuniting with elderly relatives…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand working on 4 Covid-19 vaccines that could be ready by 2023
Thailand is currently developing 4 different Covid-19 vaccines, which could be ready for public use next year. According to a Nation Thailand report, the CCSA was briefed on the progress of each vaccine at its meeting yesterday. Chula-Cov19 is an mRNA vaccine being developed by a team at Chulalongkorn University and has received over 2.7 billion baht in funding from…
- Covid-19 News
Digital health pass on Mor Prom app accepted in 60 countries
Residents of Thailand can now travel to 60 countries, including 27 EU nations, where the Mor Prom Digital Health Pass is accepted. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his deputy Sathit Pitutecha confirmed the development at a media briefing. The Thailand Digital Health Pass has been accorded the same recognition as the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate since December. According to…
- Covid-19 News
Health ministry to propose easing Covid restrictions, in line with other countries
Thailand’s health officials plan to propose the easing of some Covid-19 restrictions in a bid to move away from imposing lockdowns when outbreaks are reported. Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control says other countries are relaxing some curbs and Thailand is ready to follow suit. However, according to a Bangkok Post report, he did not specify what restrictions…
- World News
Covid-19 vaccination begins for Malaysian children between the ages of 5 and 11
Malaysian children between the ages of 5 and 11 are now being given a Covid-19 vaccine as officials try to boost immunity in the very young. According to a Reuters report, yelps of pain could be heard at a vaccination centre in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, where young kids waited nervously beside their parents. Despite a degree of anxiety in…
- Covid-19 News
Health Ministry approves use of Sinovac vaccine in children over 3 years old
The Public Health Ministry has approved China’s Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine for use in children between the ages of 3 and 17. Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control said a ministry sub-committee made the decision on Friday, but added that parental consent will still be required before children can be vaccinated with Sinovac. In addition, the use of Sinovac…
- Covid-19 News
Fourth vaccine dose being offered to Thais, foreigners across 10 provinces
Residents, both Thai and foreign, in 10 Thai provinces, will be offered a fourth Covid-19 vaccine dose ahead of the return of the Test & Go entry scheme. The Public Health Ministry has confirmed that fourth dose is being offered to provinces that are heavily reliant on tourism and/or where the infection rate is high. The Bangkok Post reports that…
- Covid-19 News
WHO says Europe could be heading for end of pandemic following Omicron surge
The World Health Organisation’s Europe director says the region could be headed for the end of the pandemic. According to an AFP report, Hans Kluge says the highly-contagious Omicron variant is likely to infect 60% of Europeans by March. This could move the virus into a new phase and herald the end of its pandemic status in Europe, once the…
- Covid-19 News
Health Minister says Pfizer doses for children ages 5 to 11 will arrive next week
Thailand’s Health Minister has confirmed that 3 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive on January 26. Anutin Charnvirakul says the doses will be administered to children between the ages of 5 and 11. The Bangkok Post reports that the vaccines are from an order of 10 million doses placed by the government. Once they arrive in the kingdom,…
- Covid-19 News
Cabinet approves budget of 35 billion baht for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines
A government spokeswoman says over 35 billion baht is being earmarked for 90 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Rachada Dhnadirek says the funds will come from the Covid-19 relief loan the government obtained under the executive decree. The vaccine fund is part of a total fund of 35.9 billion approved at a cabinet meeting yesterday. According…
- Covid-19 News
European regulators approve Novavax Covid-19 vaccine
European regulators have approved the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine after months of delays. The protein-based vaccine takes a similar approach to that of vaccines long deployed against meningitis, hepatitis, and other illnesses. It provides European countries with another weapon in the fight against Covid-19, but according to a Bloomberg report, its efficacy against the newly-emerged Omicron variant is not yet known.…
- Covid-19 News
German authorities uncover plot by “anti-vaxxers” to murder state politician
Police in Germany have foiled a plot by so-called “anti-vaxxers” to kill the premier of the eastern state of Saxony. The state currently has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Germany and some of the highest Covid-19 infection rates. Protest action has been growing in the country in opposition to mandatory vaccination, which becomes law in March for staff…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand halves gap between second dose and booster amid Omicron concerns
The Thai government has decided to halve the period between the administration of a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine and a booster dose. The current waiting time between a second dose and a booster dose is 6 months. CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Wisanuyothin says this will now be reduced to 3 months in a bid to combat the Omicron variant, according…
- Covid-19 News
Lab tests show 3 doses of Pfizer vaccine can neutralise Omicron variant
In a sign that boosters could be an essential line of defence against Omicron, lab tests show that 3 doses of the Pfizer vaccine can neutralise the variant. According to a Reuters report, vaccine makers BioNTech and Pfizer say 3 doses appear to be key in protecting against Omicron. Ozlem Tuereci, Chief Medical Officer at BioNTech, says researchers found that…
- Covid-19 News
Omicron unlikely to be more severe or to fully evade vaccines: WHO
It’s early days, but the World Health Organisation has sounded a note of very cautious optimism about the Omicron Covid-19 variant. According to an AFP report, the WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan says early data shows the mutation is no more severe than earlier variants and unlikely to fully dodge vaccine protection. However, Ryan cautions that it’s still too soon…
