Thailand’s Disease Control Board has approved the COVID-19 vaccine management and distribution plan for 2021. The country’s health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that Thailand will receive 2 million doses of vaccine from Sinovac soon, and AstraZeneca will deliver another 26 million doses in June. Additionally, Thailand has reserved a further 35 million doses, bringing the total available to 63 million this year. 

The first phase of inoculations will begin in February and last until May, with 2 million doses for people in Samut Sakhon’s red zones and nearby provinces, where the number of new cases is still rising, such as Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Rayong, Chonburi, Chanthaburi, Trat and Tak. The second phase will begin in June and last through December, using another 61 million doses.

The second phase of the inoculations will keep the economy going, strengthen national security and help to build herd immunity. The vaccines will be distributed to the general public, industrial workers, tourism workers and frequent travellers, among others.