สำนักงานความร่วมมือระหว่างประเทศ
The ministry of Public Health emphasized people to comply with the disease prevention measures even COVID-19 vaccinated. Moreover, COVID-19 situation has been improved regarding numbers of discharged patients (96%) and remaining treatment in the hospital (3%). Asking people to use cloth masks/surgical masks, keep distancing, wash hands even though some areas have implemented vaccination programs for COVID-19. The Ministry of Public Health indicated the COVID-19 vaccine is safe. The first dose of vaccination began today at the Bamrasnaradura Institute and Samut Sakhon Hospital, a total number of over 200 vaccinated persons without any adverse symptoms. The vaccine has been delivered to hospitals in 11 provinces, totaling 110,000 doses.
Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, Director General of the Department of Disease Control stated the COVID-19 situation in Thailand that 70 new cases were reported on 28 February 2021. These include 43 cases from the passive surveillance at hospitals,19 cases from the active surveillance in communities, and 8 cases returning from overseas. There were additionally 106 recovered cases, in a total of 25,951 confirmed cases, and 83 cumulative deaths. There were 21,714 infected cases of the new wave from 15 December 2020 to 28 February 2021. An accumulated number of recovery cases was 20,951 (96.49%), 740 cases are under treatment (3.41%), and 23 total deaths. The new infected cases were in four provinces including Samut Sakhon, Pathumthani, Nakonpathom, and Chonburi. The overall situation has downward trend aligning with operating relaxed measures by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Dr. Opart also stated that today is the first day Thailand launched the COVID -19 vaccine activities presided over by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister. Even though the vaccine was tested in a few people, it offered us a good opportunity to rehearse the vaccine management system. In this activity, the Prime Minister also visited the Bamrasnaradura Institute to see the service management system and Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Public Health, was the first person in Thailand to get the COVID -19 vaccine imported from the Sinovac Company, China. However, according to the research revealing that there was a limitation of study results among people whose age is over 60 years. Therefore, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice recommended the Prime Minister not to get the vaccine at this time even if he was categorized as the risk group. After visiting the service management system, the Prime Minister also emphasized on the implementable measures and the safety of the vaccine as well as tasked the MoPH and relevant sectors to expedite the process of the vaccine campaign to cover all people. For Samut Sakhon province, the COVID -19 vaccine was firstly launched in this province as well and the Minister of Public Health visited and monitored the provision of vaccine to medical staff and risk groups at Samut Sakhon hospital. Although the COVID -19 situation in Thailand is getting better, the active cases finding in the risk areas are still continued together with the COVID -19 vaccine campaign. Above all, people should not put their guard down and are encouraged to wear a mask, implement physical distance, and keep washing hands
Dr. Opas said the information of vaccination for today (28 February 2021) until 12.00 that there are 95 people vaccinated at the Bamrasnaradura Institute and 195 people at Samut Sakhon Hospital. There are no adverse effects reported after receiving the vaccines that ensure the vaccine safety.
The first 200,000 vaccines are going to be distributed to 13 provinces. Currently, the vaccine has been delivered to hospitals in 11 provinces, a total of 110,000 doses. On 27 February 2021, 30,760 doses were delivered by dividing into Nonthaburi 6,000 doses, Samut Sakhon 20,040 doses, Chonburi 4,720 doses. For today, there were 2 hospitals in Samut Sakhon 15,040 doses, Pathum Thani 8,000 doses, two hospitals in Samut Prakan 6,000 doses, Bangkok in 16 hospitals, total of 33,600 doses, Tak (Mae Sot) 5,000 doses, Nakhon Pathom 3,560 doses, Samut Songkhram 2,000 doses, Ratchaburi 2,520 doses, Chiang Mai 3,520 doses in a total of 79,240 doses for today. For tomorrow the vaccines will be delivered to Phuket and Surat Thani (Koh Samui). In March we will get 800,000 doses and the government will accelerate the vaccine distribution to cover more provinces and to cover more targeted groups of population.
"A committee on medical and public health will define and prioritize the target groups that need to be vaccinated. All people who need to be vaccinated will receive the vaccine free of charge according to the government policy. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha plans to complete 63 million doses of the vaccines by 2021. The vaccines have been already provided and will be arranged for additional doses to increase vaccine coverage. For other provinces, the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee will define target populations. There is no impersonation or cost of any kind. Don’t believe any claims or don’t pay for receiving the vaccine. Don’t be trapped in order to prevent criminals from taking this opportunity to break illegal," Dr. Opas said
28 February 2021
Translated by Office of International Cooperation, DDC Thailand
