35 million doses of 2-3 alternative vaccine brands to be procured: PM
The working team responsible for procuring alternative Covid-19 vaccines will purchase an additional 35 million doses of 2-3 different brands, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday, vowing that all procured vaccines will be distributed and administered by December this year.
Prayut said the working team resolved to seek 35 million doses of alternative vaccines in addition to approximately 65 million doses that the government has already ordered.
The team was formed on April 11, with clinical Prof Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, adviser to the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, appointed as chairman of the committee.
The other 17 members are government officials from the Public Health Ministry, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, the Food and Drug Administration and the Private Hospital Association.
Prayut explained that of the 35 million doses of alternative vaccines, the private sector led by the Board of Trade would procure about 10 million to 15 million doses, which would help the government save money.
“In the next phase, related government agencies must distribute and administer all procured vaccines by December this year,” Prayut added.