MOMENTS before Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha got his first AstraZeneca vaccination shot early this morning (March 16), thus becoming the first person in this country to receive this vaccine, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters that he would not be getting the jab because of his age, Thai Rath newspaper said.
Gen. Prawit refused to discuss the details of not being vaccinated but encouraged Gen. Prayut and some Cabinet ministers in going through with it, but he could not say if any of the latter were also getting shots this morning.
Gen. Prayut said before getting the jab that he is worried about getting all those in the highest-risk segment vaccinated but the government had procured the most suitable vaccines for Thai people.
He added that he is not the sole important person in Thailand with all Thai citizens being equally important.
At 8.44 a.m. Dr Yong Poovorawan gave the Prime Minister the shot and after that he said he was not excited and was fully ready to receive the shot to build up confidence among Thais.
Later the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said that there were 149 new Covid cases over the past day taking the cumulative confirmed total 27,154 while the death toll remained stationary at 87.
Another 65 patients were discharged from hospital, taking the total number cured so far to 26,299, with 768 still undergoing treatment.
Of the new batch of 149 cases, 21 emerged from surveillance and service systems while proactive search in communities found 123 more. There were five overseas travellers who entered state quarantine.
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Top and Home Page: Prime Minister Prayut showing a vial of AstraZeneca vaccine and getting the jab. Photos: Thai Rath
