BANGKOK, Feb. 24, 2021 (BSS/Xinhua) – The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines
that Thailand ordered from China’s Sinovac Biotech arrived in the capital
Bangkok Wednesday, putting the country on track to kickstart its national
inoculation program.
The 200,000 doses, the first shipment among 2 million doses Thailand
ordered from the Chinese biopharmaceutical firm, were delivered by a Thai
Airways International cargo flight from Beijing to Bangkok.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister and Public
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, as well as Chinese Embassy official Yang
Xin were at the airport for the handover of the vaccines.
Thailand approved the Sinovac vaccine for emergency use on Monday, and the
authorization will be valid for one year, according to Anutin.
Upon the vaccines’ arrival, three days would be required for the final
inspection before the national vaccination campaign begins, Prayut has said.
The first batch of the Sinovac vaccines will be distributed to 13
provinces and administered to at-risk groups, including medical workers,
close contacts with COVID-19 patients and people with certain chronic
illnesses.
A second batch of 800,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccines is scheduled to
arrive in Thailand next month, followed by a third batch of the remaining 1
million doses.