Thailand’s largest vaccination centre, at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station, will continue to provide a free COVID-19 inoculation service to the public until the end of September, instead of the end of this month as earlier announced.

Dr. Mingkwan Wichaidit, head of the vaccination centre, said today (Thursday) that the extension of the service has been approved by the Medical Services and Disease Control departments, because there are still people arriving at the centre, especially for booster shots.

She added that the extension of the service is in line with the Ministry of Public Health’s decision to change the status of COVID-19 from “dangerous infectious disease” to “infectious disease under watch” in October.

She explained that the August 31^st deadline for the closure of the centre was earlier announced to encourage people, especially those who are over 60 and who have underlying diseases and pregnant women, to get inoculated.

Dr. Mingkwan disclosed that about 50% of the Thai population have received their third booster doses, but the rate is still below the target of between 60% and 70%.

The vaccination centre has, so far, administered 6.3 million doses of vaccines to the public.

She urged people who received their most recent booster dose more than four months ago to get an additional dose, noting that immunity generated may reduce, while the new generation of vaccines will not be available in Thailand until early next year.

She hinted, however, that the vaccination centre may continue to operate after the end of September if there is a sudden change in the COVID-19 situation. “The centre must be ready to reopen at 24 hours’ notice, if there is a new round of pandemic,” she said.

Those who wish to be inoculated can make appointments in advance via their mobile phone network or simply walk in to the centre.