Thailand opens up vaccination for children with special needs from 7 Feb 2022

The children will be inoculated with two doses of Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccines, three to 12 weeks apart.

Starting 7 February 2022 (Monday), Thailand's Department of Mental Health will provide vaccination services to children with special needs, aged five to 11, at Rajanukul Institute. According to the Department's statement, it is aiming to reduce the rate of infection and severe illness among the more "at-risk", and to help both children and parents "reduce anxiety" while engaging in social and developmental activities during the pandemic.

Further, their vaccination has been prioritised for this demographic, as they have "a higher rate of infection and hospitalisation rates than the general population" and are cited to be "less able to take care of themselves" than others in terms of wearing a mask, ensuring safe distancing, washing hands, and the like.

From Nation Thailand's report, Minister for Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, said: "The youngsters will receive Pfizer vaccine from a batch of 300,000 doses that have already arrived. Another 300,000 doses per week will be sent to fill Thailand’s order of 10mn Pfizer doses within the next three months.

"The total shipment should arrive one month ahead of schedule," Minister Anutin added.

It was further shared that the children will receive two Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccines three to 12 weeks apart, with "the favoured gap" between the doses being eight to 12 weeks as it offers higher immunity, and fewer side effects such as chest tightness, or chest pain; gasping, or fatigue; heart palpitations; loss of consciousness, and feeling faint, or feeling unusually tired.

Image / Thailand's Department of Mental Health's Facebook

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