The Public Health Ministry in Thailand goals to make this yr the primary in which individuals obtain annual Covid-19 booster shots, akin to the seasonal flu vaccine.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek stated yesterday that Thailand should proceed to watch Covid infections, particularly after cases spiked twice final week due to the international unfold of XBB.1.sixteen, a substrain of the Omicron variant.
The majority of fatalities throughout this period were from the “608” at-risk group, consisting of individuals over 60 years previous, these with pre-existing circumstances, and pregnant women.
The government encourages residents to obtain both flu and Covid vaccines this yr. The public can receive Covid vaccines freed from charge at state hospitals, while the price of receiving photographs at privately-run hospitals could differ. Luxurious is also provided free for at-risk people.
Social Security Fund subscribers over 50 years old are eligible for a free flu vaccine once a year. This yr, flu vaccinations at their chosen hospitals might be obtainable from at present until August 31.
Elements urges Thais who received Covid vaccinations three to four months in the past to get a booster shot to scale back the severity of infections. Updated versions of the vaccine, alongside bivalent sorts, are accessible from major producers similar to Pfizer and Moderna.
The National Health Security Office and the Department of Disease Control will open vaccination websites to administer 2.9 million doses of flu vaccines towards three strains — A H1N1, A H3N2, and B Victoria — for seven at-risk groups under the universal well being scheme, also called the gold card scheme, at no cost till August 31.
These groups include pregnant ladies; youngsters aged 6 months to 2 years outdated; chronic disease sufferers, consisting of these with obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, heart illness, stroke, kidney failure, most cancers, and diabetes; people over sixty five years previous; people with thalassemia and immunodeficiency; individuals weighing over 100 kilograms; and people with aphasia..