Virologist Urges Thai Government to Expedite its Mass Vaccination Drive

A renowned virologist has urged the Thai government to expedite its mass vaccination drive against Covid-19 within the next three months, after a recent study found a single dose of a covid-19 vaccine can increase immunity against the virus by 96.7%.

Virologist Yong Poovorawan wrote on his Facebook page on Monday that a study conducted on Thais who had received one shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine showed a 96.7% improvement in immunity against the virus.

Furthermore when compared to unvaccinated individuals, those who have recovered from Covid-19 between 4-8 weeks prior to testing showed a 92.4% improvement in immunity after being vaccinated.

The study was carried out on 61 individuals for one month after they received their first shot. Vaccine recipients aged below 60 reported higher immunity than those aged over 60, the doctor said.

Their immunity would increase further and last for a long time after the second dose, he said, before concluding that the immunity conferred after one shot of AstraZeneca vaccine was satisfactory.

“Therefore the government should administer the first shot of AstraZeneca vaccine to as people many as possible, or 10 million people each month in the first three months of mass vaccination,” he said.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said after meeting with representatives of Zuellig Pharma Ltd that the ministry is ready to support the registration of the Moderna vaccine.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) is ready to import Moderna vaccine but the private sector must confirm their orders to the GPO first. The GPO can’t stock up on the vaccine and wait for the private sector to buy it, he said.

Paisarn Dunkum, chief of the Food and Drug Administration, said Zuellig Pharma submitted all documents last week. The vaccine registration will be completed in this month, he said.