Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Disease Control Agency, Thailand could get the first emergency shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine this week, ahead of schedule, and vaccines should be able to begin in February.
He said that a manufacturing company which he did not name had already supplied the Thai Food and Drug Administration with detailed information and samples of their vaccine for examination and testing of its efficacy and safety.
So the vaccine is expected to be approved by the Thai FDA, that within this week the first lot of the vaccine will be in Thailand and that vaccination will start as planned in February.
Dr Opas also noted that there will be a follow-up system after mass vaccinations to monitoring the condition of those inoculated for any negative side effects, adding that, if any, each case will be investigated by a committee to determine whether the symptoms are linked to the vaccine.
He stated it if it was proved that they were not related to the vaccine, the vaccination program will continue, but that if there were any concerns as to the safety of the vaccine, the vaccine will be suspended until it was proven safe to use.
Given the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, he said that safety is the top priority and, hence, the need to test its efficacy and safety and to monitor the results.
Although describing vaccines as only a tool to contain the virus, Dr. Opas said that by wearing face masks, regular hand washing with a sanitiser, and social distancing, prevention is also necessary.
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