Expats already being vaccinated

Expats are included in Thailand's vaccination plan, CCSA spokesperson said, clarified recent reports that Thais have priority in the first phase of vaccines. According to the spokesperson, comments were taken out of context, and foreigners have already been included in the first phase.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health recently told the Bangkok Post that doses are currently reserved for Thais who are at high risk of infection or who live in an area where a severe outbreak is ongoing. Foreigners need to wait until the government announces a clear vaccine policy, he said.

The CCSA spokesperson says that comments on foreigner vaccinations were "taken out of context in the media."

Due to a limited of doses, Thai health officials had to prioritize doses, prioritizing frontline healthcare workers, the elderly, and those living in areas where a severe outbreak is happening. Foreigners, including migrant workers and migrant health volunteers, were included in the first phase of vaccinations, which began at the end of February and will go until the end of May, The spokesperson said.

The diplomatic community, international organizations, and foreign residents will all include the next round, depending on their level of risk. Officials are also working on a system for foreigners to register for the vaccine, discussing whether to have a mobile app or have foreign residents contact hospitals directly for the vaccine.

 
Thailand's Covid-19 immunization plan has moved up Phuket and Koh Samui, tourist destinations of "economic significance," with an accelerated rollout of vaccinations in an effort to reach herd immunity and reopen to foreign tourists.

Some ex-pats who work as English teachers on the islands they’ve already been injected with the vaccine. One ex-pat told The Thaiger that he has received both Sinovac vaccine doses. The school helped him with the registration process for both injections, and he was vaccinated for free.

According to a report from The Phuket News, ex-pats working in the province will be able to register for the Covid-19 vaccine starting on May 11. To be eligible for the vaccine, foreign workers must have a valid work permit, and human resources staff must register the foreign workers under the company's name. According to the report, ex-pats who do not work for a company in Phuket will have to wait for the next phase of registration.