No one left behind: Thailand gives biggest hint yet that expats will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines

[irwinfc]

the vaccine for farangs hasn't been delivered yet. it's called "vac-u" if memory serves.

[Seismic]

13 minutes ago, farang63 said:

but what if one doesn't want to get the vaccine?
but what do these vaccines contain?
In Switzerland they have blocked the Astra Zeneca vaccine because it has not yet given maximum security of having side effects and no security for the coming years of future problems for the people who will receive it, no one wonders if these vaccines will have side effects will cause problems and who will pay for the damage suffered? certainly not the pharmaceutical companies, there are treatments to cure covid 19, no vaccine is needed, then a vaccine that lasts only a few months and no security that the virus does not infect yet, all data that are online, and It was found that Moderna and Astra Zeneca's vaccine has only 19 to 23% confidence not to contract the virus, while Russian Sputnik vaccine has 93% safety and few contraindications, all data online.
all this to make the vaccine and a sea of money for the pharmaceutical companies that will also give a lot of money to those who buy them ..

That is actually inaccurate. The Swiss have not authorised its use because the amount of data made available does not allow them to reach firm conclusions on its efficacy. The main problem being the trials had too few older people. The rest of your data is garbage.

[graemeaylward]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand will then begin domestic production of  61 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Officials have indicated that production of the vaccine will begin around May or June. 

Why have they not started already? They have been talking about this for months and should have been in a position to start production once the vaccine was approved for use!  What should also be remembered is that two injections 3 months apart are required for the most efficacious results. So all in all, about 130 million doses should be available.  Good news about it being free to expats too. ????

 

[graemeaylward]

27 minutes ago, fxe1200 said:

Which one of these vaccines can be taken by people above 65 years without being endangered by side effects resulting in not feeling well, or even death?

My Aunt in UK has had the Astra-Zeneca vaccine without side effects, and she is nearly 107 years old and still as bright as a button! ????

 

[Phaser]

For the AstraZeneca vaccine with only 62-72% efficacy and not recommended for those 65 and older? I’ll pay for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine thank you

[PGSan]

3 hours ago, quake said:

Frowns are free and plentiful.

Like the famous smiles! 

[PGSan]

3 hours ago, bdenner said:

and at least I will have a receipt!

What use is that when your choice of vaccine does not work out well for you?

[PGSan]

3 hours ago, quake said:

VD is also free in Thailand.

Where? 

[SymS]

4 hours ago, Husain Tula said:

I have never seen anything given free to expats in Thailand.  This would be a first.

 

I don't pay anything when I go to the hospital (where I am registered for social security).

[PGSan]

1 hour ago, fxe1200 said:

Which one of these vaccines can be taken by people above 65 years without being endangered by side effects resulting in not feeling well, or even death?

All of them!

[bdenner]

14 minutes ago, PGSan said:

What use is that when your choice of vaccine does not work out well for you?

A "Claytons" Vaccine Passport!

[Felt 35]

????I really hope it will be possible to get a Western tried and tested vaccine in a private hospital by the time they roll out the home made one????

[connda]

3 hours ago, bluesofa said:

I haven't been charged for breathing so far.

Not true.  You're charged at least 1900 THB annually for breathing on Thai soil. 

[hashmodha]

I hope he means people staying here officially with Retirement Visas etc as evident from passports, probably getting immigration offices involved to do cross checking and verifying eligibility!

[kiwikeith]

4 hours ago, tonray said:

I'm hoping the Chinese vaccine is all used up by the time they get around to expats, rather pay for Astra Zeneca vaccine then get a free SinoVac.

Latest News Today, South Africa has suspended trials of Astra Zeneca Vaccine as it is failing to be effective against the new strain.

Although they say this is a temporary measure, Astra Zeneca are now rushing to try to provide a modification to the vaccine.

 

So what this means, is that the vaccine is not working well on the new variants and many countries are looking for supplies of other vaccines to fill in the gap.

 

So what does this mean for Thailand, will they produce a dud or will they wait for Astra Zeneca to come up with a new variant to what they have, and that won't be done by tomorrow.

 

The vaccine supply is a shambles and now the Astra does not work on the new strain which is rapidly spreading everywhere.

 

Thailand would have to think about this, as if they produce the current version, and the new variant/s spread's they will be caught with pants down.

 

All of this is about money for the big Thai medical company, maybe they could not broker a deal with Pfizer or sputnik, Astra is hard to handle and needs special fridges, stupid for Thailand to go for this.

 

I did hear some time ago that Thailand would vaccinate expats free and so they should, but then how they define you as qualifying could be tricky.

 

Anyhow watch the news in the next few days I predict that Thailand will be reverting to Plan B, if it thinks it will be able to supply Astra dud vaccine at 61 million doses.

[FarFlungFalang]

3 hours ago, bluesofa said:

I haven't been charged for breathing so far.

I was once charged for being an oxygen thief.

[vandeventer]

Well blow me down, in all the years I lived here I have never seen anything free. I know the air is free but just look at all the chemicals in it. I only hope the  free vaccines  doesn't mean the cheapest vaccines ,that nobody wants. I would rather pay for a vaccine that works.

[dinsdale]

Faily sure doesn't matter where you are from in Aus, NZ, UK, USA etc it's free.

 

[Archie Baker]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

No one left behind: Thailand gives biggest hint yet that expats will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand’s health minister on Monday gave the strongest indication yet that expats residing in the country will be included in the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination. 

 

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul  said that all  residents in Thailand, including foreigners could even be given the vaccination free of charge.

 

“The 63 million doses of the vaccination are enough to cover the public, and it’s within our capacity to provide free vaccinations,” Anutin said. 

 

“Our policy is to not leave anyone behind and we must inoculate anyone at risk of spreading the virus, not only Thais. So the vaccines will cover everyone that resides in Thailand.”

 

Anutin was speaking amid growing criticism regarding Thailand’s slow rollout of the vaccination. 

 

And while the government has outlined the stages for which Thai nationals will receive the vaccination, information on if or when foreigners will be included in the rollout had not been forthcoming, until now. 

 

Anutin said that 200,000 doses of the Chinese CoronaVac will arrive in Thailand later this month, followed by a supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Bangkok Biz News reported. 

 

Thailand will then begin domestic production of  61 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Officials have indicated that production of the vaccine will begin around May or June. 

 

By the end of April, a further 2 million doses of the Sinovac will arrive in Thailand, which will be given to those deemed most in need,  such as front line health care  workers and those with underlying health conditions. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-02-09

What a nice man he's turned out to be.  

[onebir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin said that 200,000 doses of the Chinese CoronaVac will arrive in Thailand later this month, followed by a supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Bangkok Biz News reported. 

 

Thailand will then begin domestic production of  61 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Officials have indicated that production of the vaccine will begin around May or June. 

Isn't the AZ vaccine distributed at cost, and licensed free? Supplying it to expats at cost/free isn't exactly the bigliest of magnanimosities...

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

I’ll pay but not for China garbage 

Just about everything you use is probably made in China.

[sammieuk1]

Talk the virus to death and no one get left behind ????

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, Husain Tula said:

I have never seen anything given free to expats in Thailand.  This would be a first.

No it won't. I have attended the free mobile health clinics and the free flu jab program. My pink card was also free but hardly related.

Free medical initiatives normally require a yellow book, because of allocations you only qualify in your area of residence.

This forum is the architect of it's own expectation, something the private hospitals are just waiting to capitalise on.

[apetryxx]

5 hours ago, tonray said:

I'm hoping the Chinese vaccine is all used up by the time they get around to expats, rather pay for Astra Zeneca vaccine then get a free SinoVac.

Here here, I’m with you on this sentiment and would happily pay for A Z but keep your Sinovac away from me!

[Jimbo2014]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin said that 200,000 doses of the Chinese CoronaVac will arrive in Thailand later this month,

Gosh I wonder who will receive the Sinovac vaccine?  I fear there may be a pecking order being formed. ????

[DavisH]

4 hours ago, jackdd said:

He said "residing in Thailand"

Foreigners on non-immigrant visas aren't considered as residents, but as temporary visitors.

So if this turns out to only apply to permanent residents he wasn't lying.

Resident in this sense means an inhabitant or occupant. I don't think this only applies to "permament residents". There are millions of foreign workers that need vaccination. Not too worried myself, as I have government health cover. 

[DavisH]

3 minutes ago, Jimbo2014 said:

Gosh I wonder who will receive the Sinovac vaccine?  I fear there may be a pecking order being formed. ????

You can have my Chinese vaccine if you wanna take my palce in the queue lol

[itsari]

4 hours ago, drbrit said:

Encouraging words, but I would welcome clarity on *how* they identify foreigners 'residing' in Thailand.  I hope that doesn't mean people with PR.  Will it be those on a non-O, non-OA, non-B, taxpayers etc...

Covid 19 has no preference to what type of visa you have . Main thing is to inoculate as many people as possible . Good sense is  prevailing thankfully .

[misterphil]

BPH told me the vaccine will be for sale in June. 

[wensiensheng]

Whatever country I am living in, I don’t expect to be given anything for free. Once the vaccine is available here, I will pay to be vaccinated.
 

The issue is that it’s not available yet and, I might be wrong here, I don’t think any vaccines have even need approved for use.