PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after the Cabinet meeting today (March 9) that he will be getting an AstraZeneca vaccination shot on Friday March 12 with all Cabinet members also to be vaccinated while emphasising that he has not blocked the private sector from procuring vaccines, Thai Rath newspaper said this afternoon.
He added that all ministers have to get the jab because they meet lots of people all the time. This vaccine has been already checked and the doctors have said that he should get the shot.
Regarding private hospitals obtaining coronavirus vaccines, Gen. Prayut pointed out that he had already said many times that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should hold a meeting with the Medical Association of Thailand and private hospitals to discuss their procurement plans.
There are no obstructions on procuring vaccines but right now the country is at the emergency use stage, he said, adding that the key point is that orders have to be on government-to-government basis.
Sometimes orders are placed but vaccines are not shipped but if the hospitals can get the orders filled then they are most welcome to procure them, he added.
“”I think it’s good. If the private sector helps give shots and there are more vaccines available, then those able to could go to a private hospital, but it will be costly. But it is their choice, why should I block them?” he said.
Meanwhile the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said at 11 a.m. today that over the past 24 hours there were 60 new coronavirus cases with this raising the cumulative confirmed total to 26,501 while 25,851 patients have been cured and 565 are still undergoing treatment, Sanook.com said.
The death toll remained stationary at 85.
Of the new cases, 43 were domestic with 22 emerging in surveillance and service systems while 21 were found through proactive screening in communities.
Fifteen overseas arrivals entered state quarantine but two had crossed the border from Malaysia and skipped it.
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Top and Home Page: Prime Minister Prayut talking to reporters. Photos: Thai Rath
