Thailand announces change in vaccination programme
Thailand saw a jump in Covid-19 cases. This surge in infection rates was followed by officials implementing new regulations like: a curfew from 9PM-4AM, travel restrictions and WFH policies.
Following in the sequence of official action against Covid-19 is a change in the national vaccination programme.
Currently the population is receiving two doses of one of two Covid-19 vaccines: Sinovac and AstraZeneca. The government announced on 12th July 2021 that people will now receive one dose of Sinovac, followed by an AstraZeneca shot for their second dose.
The government states that mixing vaccines will help increase our immunity against the Delta variant. Let’s see how this works and how it’ll play out.
Recent Covid-19 updates:
- First Delta variant case in Phuket
- New Covid-19 centre in Bangkok
- Citizens queue overnight for Covid-19 test
Changes in Thailand’s vaccine programme
Thailand’s residents will now receive one dose of the Sinovac Covid-19 shot and an Astra Zeneca jab as their second dose. Mixing inoculations is said to increase the rate at which we build immunity against the virus’ different mutations. The government announced that the second dose should be administered within 3-4 weeks after the first shot.
Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health conveyed this information in a broadcast on 12th July 2021, reported Matichon.
AstraZeneca will also be used as a third “booster” shot for medical personnel. Front line workers who have been fully vaccinated for at least four weeks will receive this booster shot immediately.
Alternating vaccines said to build immunity faster
The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that there is academic evidence supporting the benefits of using an alternate vaccine as a booster shot towards building immunity against Covid-19.
A news source from the Ministry of Public Health further states that receiving one dose of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine followed by AstraZeneca as a second dose can provide an efficacy rate close to that of receiving two shots of AstraZeneca.
The core advantage of receiving two different Covid-19 vaccines is the increased speed at which the immune system becomes effective in battling the virus’ different strains.
Hopeful for the future with new vaccine changes
Just last week, the government released a statement that Covid-19 cases could rise by four digits daily due to the fast-spreading nature of the Delta variant.
Since then, there have been multiple regulations put in place to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.
We’re hopeful that the situation will steadily improve with the new safety measures.
Cover image adapted from: iStock via Directos
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