The first 14 batches of AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by Thai pharmaceutical company Siam Bioscience, have passed the quality tests of the Thai Department of Medical Sciences.

The department director-general, Dr. Supakit Sirilak, said that samples of the first five lots of AstraZeneca vaccine and the next nine lots, sent to the department by Siam Bioscience, have met the department’s quality standard, following tests.

He said, however, that the department is waiting for a summary production protocol from the drug company before it can issue the release document for use.

The vaccine will be administered to people over 60 and people afflicted with any of seven non-communicable underlying diseases, scheduled for June 7th, when mass vaccinations start.

About six million doses of the vaccine are expected to be delivered this month.

At the same time, Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiatiphum Wongrachit reassured that the mass vaccinations will proceed as scheduled with sufficient vaccines, both AstraZeneca and Chinese-made Sinovac, to meet the goal of inoculating 70% of the Thai population within September.