Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang inspected the readiness of the hospital for the elderly in Bang Khun Thian district today (Thursday) ahead of providing COVID-19 vaccinations to elderly people, after the arrival in Thailand yesterday of Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines from China and Britain respectively.

The Geriatric Bangkhuntien Hospital is one of the three hospitals, run by the health office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), designated to offer vaccinations in the initial stage.  The two others are The Luang Phor Taweesak Hospital and Ratchapipat hospitals.

The preparatory procedure for vaccination includes background and entitlement checks, registration, screening, consultation and post-vaccination services, such as observation for possible side effects, before those inoculated are allowed to go home.

The BMA will announce which private and state-run hospitals that will offer free vaccinations in due course.

The Sinovac vaccine will be distributed to 50 hospitals in nine high-risk provinces, including Bangkok, and given to front-line medical personnel and those working in close contact with COVID-19 patients, those with congenital diseases and people over 60.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Facebook yesterday that the AstraZeneca vaccine has already been registered in Thailand for emergency use in people over 18 years old, adding that the vaccines will be tested for efficacy before being distributed.

Two doses of the vaccine are required for each person, 4-12 weeks apart.

Thai PBS conducted an online random poll of people’s opinions regarding vaccination yesterday, which showed that most respondents want to be inoculated, because they are afraid of the virus and hope that the vaccine will protect them.

A previous opinion poll, conducted by Bangkok University on 1,258 respondents, showed 68.7% want to be vaccinated, but would like to wait first to see if there are any side effects in those injected.  69.1% are worried that the vaccine may affect their health and immunity, while 47.9% hope that the vaccination will help them return to normal life.