THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

AstraZeneca approves Thai vaccine plant; 800,000 Sinovac doses due this week

AstraZeneca approves Thai vaccine plant; 800,000 Sinovac doses due this week

AstraZeneca has approved safety standards at Thailand’s vaccine factory and will send the first batch of raw materials in June, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, another 800,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine will arrive this week from China, Anutin told press at Government House. Thai health officials are also in talks with the Chinese firm for an additional 5 million doses, he added.

The Sinovac vaccine is currently being used to inoculate frontline healthcare staff and at-risk groups.

Addressing progress on Thailand’s domestic vaccine production, Anutin said an AstraZeneca representative had visited the Thai plant and was satisfied with the manufacturing standards. AstraZeneca is confident the material for vaccine production will arrive by June, he said.

Siam Bioscience is upgrading its plant in Pathum Thani to produce millions of AstraZeneca doses for Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia.

Asked about Songkran (April 10-15), Anutin said the decision on restrictions lies with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said yesterday that water-splashing parties were off the menu this year due to the emergence of a new cluster of infections.

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