Thai government still betting big on Sinovac as public faith erodes

[webfact]

 

In order to boost public confidence in Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took the first jab in Thailand on February 28. The Chinese vaccine has since become the country’s main choice, despite growing doubts about its efficacy that have placed the government under scrutiny.

 

Following loud complaints from the public and many doctors, the Thai Sang Thai Party is now gathering signatures for a petition to initiate criminal proceedings against the Cabinet over the latest procurement of the Sinovac vaccine. Meanwhile, the Lawyers’ Association of Thailand has vowed to help anyone sue the government on this matter because it believes the procurement violates the Constitution.

 

Yet, the government refuses to waver from its plan to stick with Sinovac.

 

Sinovac’s solid presence in Thailand

 

As of Saturday afternoon, Thailand had administered more than 12.44 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of these, 6.96 million were Sinovac, 5.28 million were AstraZeneca and about 200,000 Sinopharm.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-government-still-betting-big-on-sinovac-as-public-faith-erodes/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-07-12

 

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[RotBenz8888]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

Yet, the government refuses to waver from its plan to stick with Sinovac.

 

Must be alot of money for them... 

[Rookiescot]

I suspect they are using the Chinese vaccines because its all they can get.

[LazySlipper]

Isn't Russian roulette a form of betting?

[keith101]

Maybe they signed some kind of contract to buy this useless rubbish and the Chinese are holding them to it or possible condition to them building the new fast train line anything is possible TIT .

[Cake Monster]

22 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Must be alot of money for them... 

Or for some that are really close to them.

[worgeordie]

Note to Government... it does not work against the Delta variant, 

you are giving people a false sense of safety , what a cock up.

regards worgeordie 

[mtls2005]

The "government" is going to have to pay people, a lot of money like 3,000 baht, to incentivize people to take sinovac.

 

Or maybe just charge them with some crime, and jail them, if they refuse.

 

 

[rabas]

 

 

As mentioned in a recent Bangkok Post article, maybe they don't want American vaccines because US corporations must follow US international anti-corruption laws.

[Mr Meeseeks]

18 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

I suspect they are using the Chinese vaccines because its all they can get.

I suspect it is because they are helping each out and getting bails of cash in return. 

[tingtong]

22 minutes ago, LazySlipper said:

Isn't Russian roulette a form of betting?

 

I would say more likely it is The Chinese Money Flip they are playing.

[jerrymahoney]

11 minutes ago, rabas said:

 

 

As mentioned in a recent Bangkok Post article, maybe they don't want American vaccines because US corporations must follow US international anti-corruption laws.

Both Pfizer and Zuellig Pharma (SE Asia agent for Moderna) are long-time players in Thailand with substantial existing business in Thailand aside from vaccines. They are not babes-in-the-woods as regards US FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act).

[ezzra]

The Thai rational being that Sinovac is better than a kick in the bum i.e. better than nothing, but in reality, nothing is better than Sinovac...

[ftpjtm]

27 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

I suspect they are using the Chinese vaccines because its all they can get.

It's certainly the most available vaccine to a government who failed to get in queue for the others early on.

 

14 minutes ago, rabas said:

 

 

As mentioned in a recent Bangkok Post article, maybe they don't want American vaccines because US corporations must follow US international anti-corruption laws.

But I suspect this is the real reason. Huge sums transferred into the off shore bank accounts of corrupt government officials with every Sinovac order.

[ftpjtm]

2 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Both Pfizer and Zuellig Pharma (SE Asia agent for Moderna) are long-time players in Thailand with substantial existing business in Thailand aside from vaccines. They are not babes-in-the-woods as regards US FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act).

Yes, and private hospitals have stated that if the Thai government allowed them to order Pfizer and Moderna from their long term business partners, they'd have had it many weeks ago.

 

Why didn't the Thai government allow them to purchase it? I think the BP article gives the answer. 

[madmitch]

2 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

It's certainly the most available vaccine to a government who failed to get in queue for the others early on.

 

But I suspect this is the real reason. Huge sums transferred into the off shore bank accounts of corrupt government officials with every Sinovac order.

Don't forget the CP connection, the company that has earned billions during covid.

[jerrymahoney]

5 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

Yes, and private hospitals have stated that if the Thai government allowed them to order Pfizer and Moderna from their long term business partners, they'd have had it many weeks ago.

 

Why didn't the Thai government allow them to purchase it? I think the BP article gives the answer. 

Pfizer has issued a statement that they will only deal with central governments and supra-national agencies:

 

Pfizer has said that it is “working with federal governments across the world to supply its Covid-19 vaccine for use in national immunization programs. Our supply agreements at this time are with national governments and supra-national organizations with allocation of doses and implementation within the country being a decision that governments take based on relevant health authority guidance. This approach Pfizer has followed across the world."

 

https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/pfizer-declines-punjab-vaccine-plea-will-deal-with-centre-only-1806511-2021-05-24

Edited July 12, 2021 by jerrymahoney

[Thailand]

Huge kickbacks,as simple as that. It's the way it works.

[actonion]

Maybe Sinovac is a lot cheaper  saving the Thai government money, they can put the difference  between sinovac  & another vaccine in their pocket

[edwinchester]

1 hour ago, actonion said:

Maybe Sinovac is a lot cheaper  saving the Thai government money, they can put the difference  between sinovac  & another vaccine in their pocket

Sinovac is one of the expensive ones.

 

https://www.statista.com/chart/23658/reported-cost-per-dose-of-covid-19-vaccines/

[placeholder]

2 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Sinovac is one of the expensive ones.

 

https://www.statista.com/chart/23658/reported-cost-per-dose-of-covid-19-vaccines/

That article is dated Dec 1, 2020. It's obviously out of date.

[Thomas J]

There has to be a reason for the governments undying loyalty to Sinovac despite all the pushback from the medical community and citizens.  If not, why would the government not do the easy thing and procure the vaccines that the public and the doctors are wanting. 

[SooKee]

I've seen numerous reports over the last 6 months from countries with, admittedly far better than Thailand, vaccine roll-outs that the best vaccine is the one that's available to you.  Except where the one available is Sinovac it seems!

Edited July 12, 2021 by SooKee

[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

I suspect they are using the Chinese vaccines because its all they can get.

If you mean it's because they are at the back of the queue with every other supplier as they ordered it too late, then yes I agree with you

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, actonion said:

Maybe Sinovac is a lot cheaper  saving the Thai government money, they can put the difference  between sinovac  & another vaccine in their pocket

1 million doses sinovac , have money left to a buy tank

1 million doses other vaccines, no money to buy a tank

[edwinchester]

2 minutes ago, placeholder said:

That article is dated Dec 1, 2020. It's obviously out of date.

Ok then, the latest press release in Bangkok Post said the latest order worked out at 560 bht a dose.

[mtls2005]

2 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

1 million doses sinovac , have money left to a buy tank

1 million doses other vaccines, no money to buy a tank

 

Nope. Flip that.

 

sinovac is 3x the AZ price.

 

Roughly

600 baht/dose for sinovac

200 baht for AZ

 

 

[placeholder]

3 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Ok then, the latest press release in Bangkok Post said the latest order worked out at 560 bht a dose.

But if the cost was what the article linked to stated then it would be about 980 baht.

[Bluespunk]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In order to boost public confidence in Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took the first jab in Thailand on February 28. The Chinese vaccine has since become the country’s main choice

Choice?

 

Such an interesting and complex word in certain circumstances. 

[edwinchester]

6 minutes ago, placeholder said:

But if the cost was what the article linked to stated then it would be about 980 baht.

Even 560 bht is way overpriced compared to what AZ goes for and has gone for in the months previous.

If Thailand had prebooked their vaccines last year they'd have saved billions whilst getting better vaccines.