Covid-19 Vaccination To Start Next Month, According To The Government

Vaccination program starts in February

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) announced three vaccination phases from February to April 2021. The first phases will be on people and medical authorities in Covid-19 highest-risk zones, while the second and third phases will cover the general public from May until the end of 2021.

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The first phase

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong The Director of Department of Disease Control Image credit: NewTV

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the DDC director, announced on New TV that the vaccination’s first phrase would involve 2-million doses from China. The first group of people to receive the vaccination are the medical personnel, disease control authorities, and the people in the highest risk provinces, including Samut Sakhon, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, and Bangkok.

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The first 200,000 doses of the first phase will be distributed in February 2021, 800,000 doses in March, and 1-million doses in April.

The second and third Phase

According to Dr. Karnkawinpong, the second phase of vaccination will involve 26-million doses. The vaccines will be distributed to people at high-risk for Covid-19 from May to June 2021.

The Third Phase of vaccination will start to aim to cover as much general public as possible to provoke herd-immunity, bringing an end to the spread of Covid-19 in Thailand.

The required doses

According to Dr. Karnkawinpong, each person will need to have two doses of vaccination, four weeks apart between the two, to allow the vaccine to have its full effect.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation will start registering clusters of people for the first phase of vaccination this month. They will also ensure everyone has a correct understanding of the vaccine and observe for any signs of side effects of the vaccination.

Don’t let your guard down just yet

This news at the start of January paves the way for so much hope in 2021. However, it is best not to let your guard down just yet. So wear your face masks, wash your hands, follow social-distancing while we make sure to keep you up to date on this matter.

Featured image adapted from: NewTV, AP News

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