Thailand residents urged to get booster shots, ATKs available for 35 baht at GPO branches, and more

The MOH has also shared recommendations on vaccine combination. For instance, those with AstraZeneca (first dose) and AstraZeneca (second dose) should get Pfizer. Those with Sinovac (first dose) and AstraZeneca (second dose), should get AstraZeneca

Thailand's Bang Sue Grand Station, a train station turned vaccination centre in Bangkok, has extended the free Pfizer vaccination service for individuals who have yet to receive their COVID-19 booster shots, according to The Public Relations Department of Thailand.

The department, on 17 January 2022 (Monday), explained that this service is being provided because there were many individuals missing out on their boosters due to incomplete information, or to failure of meeting booster conditions (i.e. time period between their second dose and the booster).

This is especially important as the Ministry of Health (MOH) had advised members of the public to get a booster to protect themselves from the COVID-19 Omicron variant, especially if they fall under the category of those who got the second dose "three months ago or longer".

Those who wish to receive the booster can sign up for the booster drive 21 January 2022 (Friday) onwards through mobile phone providers such as AIS, True, DTAC, and NT.

Individuals must note: to be eligible for the booster at the station, they must be innoculated with the vaccine combination below, according to MOH:

• AstraZeneca (first dose) and AstraZeneca (second dose) should get Pfizer;
• Sinovac (first dose) and Sinovac (second dose) should get Pfizer, and
• Sinopharm (first dose) and Sinopharm (second dose) should get Pfizer.
• As for those with Sinovac (first dose) and AstraZeneca (second dose), they should get AstraZeneca.
• Those who have been infected with COVID-19, and have had only one dose of vaccine, or were fully-vaccinated less than two weeks before getting the infection, should get AstraZeneca.

Regarding the vaccination and booster rate in the country, the department said that, as of 17 January 2022, there were 172,437 doses of vaccines administered, bringing the total accumulated number of vaccinations to over 109mn doses. This translates to: 71.9% of the total population getting its first dose of the vaccine; 66.1% getting its second dose, and 14.1% having received its booster dose.

In a similar vein, to cope with COVID-19 and variants, the Public Relations Department of Thailand, on 17 January 2022 (Monday), announced that the Dusit district office opened the city's first new community isolation centre at Nakhon Chaisi Road in Kiak Kai sub-district for the younger population last week. Drawing reference to reports from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), this move is prompted by new COVID-19 patients in the age group of zero to 19 rising between 1 December 2021 to 7 January 2022.

According to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha's latest figures on registering for vaccination, approximately 84% of the younger population (students aged 12 and above) have registered for the COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, the Ministry of Education also has a plan to administer vaccines to more than 5.2mn youths (aged five to 11 years) in February 2022. "It is now in the process of asking for parental consent for the vaccination", per the announcement.

And with the "rapid increase" in cases, the department noted the Government is well-aware of the "high demand" for antigen self-test kits (ATK). As such, since 14 January 2022 (Friday), the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), a pharmaceutical product manufacturer in Thailand, has been providing ATK at 35 baht per kit.

Individuals who would like to purchase these kits can proceed to any of GPO's eight pharmacies (Ratchathewi head office branch, Yotse, Jaran Sanitwong, Deves, Rangsit, Department of Medical Services, Tropical Medicine, and the Government Complex). Those who prefer to make purchase online can do so at its website.

Image / Screenshot from the Public Relations Department of Thailand

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