The Thai government has signed a purchase order for 20 million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, with deliveries expected in the second half of the year, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

US-based Pfizer Inc, through Comirnaty Vaccine, has applied for approval for emergency use in Thailand, through the country’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), according to TFDA  Secretary-General Dr. Paisal Dunkhum.

Apart from the application process, one month is expected to be required for negotiations on terms, conditions and prices to be completed, said Mr. Anutin yesterday (Thursday).

The Thai government pledged to procure 20 million doses of Pfizer and 5 million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines for delivery this year. According to the public health minister, negotiations are underway with representatives of Johnson & Johnson, whose vaccine was approved by the TFDA in late March.

The Pfizer vaccine is aimed to be administered to youth aged 12-18.

Yesterday, a million more doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine were delivered to Thailand, bringing the total to seven million delivered so far. Millions more are expected to be procured for Thailand.

Thailand began its mass inoculation campaign on Monday, with more than 5.4 million doses administered to date.

Five vaccine brands have been approved by TFDA so far – Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinopharm. Only Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines have been in use in Thailand.