Health minister gets 2nd jab, says Thailand in talks for travel bubbles

Anutin spoke after receiving his second injection of Chinese Sinovac vaccine on Tuesday, three days after Thailand took delivery of another 800,000 doses. The country has so far received 1 million Sinovac doses, with another 1 million due to arrive in April.

Anutin, his deputy minister and executives reported no side effects from the second jab.

He said people who have had two doses will receive a certificate that will act as a vaccine passport to keep with them wherever they go.

Thailand is now negotiating with many countries for travel bubbles that will begin operating when more people have been vaccinated, Anutin revealed.

Meanwhile, Disease Control Department chief Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said the 800,000 Sinovac doses are being used in three areas.

Covid-19 hotspots will get 300,000 doses: Samut Sakhon (100,000), Bangkok (50,000), Pathum Thani (25,000), Samut Prakan (25,000), Nonthaburi (25,000) and Tak (75,000).

Tourism locations will get 240,000 doses: Chonburi (20,000), Rayong (20,000), Chiang Mai (20,000), Khon Kaen (10,000), Krabi (10,000), Phang Nga (10,000), Koh Samui (50,000), and Phuket (100,000).

Economically significant locations will get 50,000 doses: Songkhla (10,000), Sa Kaew (10,000), Chiang Rai (5,000), Mukdahan (5,000), Narathiwat (5,000), Ranong (5,000), Nong Khai (5,000), and Chanthaburi (5,000).

The remaining 210,000 doses will go to health workers dealing with the Bang Khae cluster which has spread to at least 10 provinces.

The 800,000 shots are expected to reach their destination by Sunday (March 28).

So far, around 80,000 people have had their first dose of vaccine in Thailand, and around 300 people have had their second.

On Saturday, Anutin revealed Thailand was negotiating for another 5 million Sinovac jabs.

Meanwhile, 26 million AstraZeneca doses made locally by Siam Bioscience are due to be available in June to August with another 35 million to follow later this year.