Thailand’s Disease Control Department has assured that the AstraZeneca vaccine does not cause an increased risk of blood clots and inoculations will resume next week, after their suspension on Friday.
The department’s director-general, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, said Saturday that the European Medicines Agency had investigated reports of blood clots in some recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine and found that the vaccine does not increase the risk.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet ministers, who were to be vaccinated on Friday, postponed the plan after the Public Health Ministry decided to suspend the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.
He assured that the Ministry of Public Health will still achieve its target of administering 63 million doses of vaccine to Thai people within this year.
He said that he has confidence in the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine, but when there were reports of blood clots from Europe, the ministry had to postpone the vaccination plan until there was confirmation that it is safe for use.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said today that the city’s administration will start vaccinations on Monday for seven groups of high-risk people in six districts bordering Samut Sakhon, namely Bang Khun Thian, Nong Khaem, Bang Bon, Bang Khai, Chom Thong and Phasi Charoen.
The groups include those suffering from chronic respiratory disease, heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer and in the age group of 50 to 59.
Over 19,900 will be inoculated and they can check their names for confirmation via the Mor Prom application from tomorrow.
Those who want to be vaccinated can apply and choose the hospitals and the dates for inoculation via the application.
