Authorities Advise Elderly to Get Vaccinated Before Songkran

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has urged the senior citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the Songkran festival, citing statistics indicating increased fatalities among the elderly.

 

Health officials expressed concern over an increase in severe cases and fatalities among people in this group as a result of possible infections occurring during home visits by family members in April to celebrate the traditional new year festival.

 

According to DDC data, only 4.2 million senior citizens had received their booster shots as of Saturday, compared to 10 million who had received their second jab. 2.1 million elderly people have yet to receive any COVID injections whatsoever.

 

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DDC Deputy Director-General Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn said unvaccinated senior citizens with chronic illnesses are among those at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19.

 

Dr Sopon explained that people in this group typically contract the virus through family members and are at risk of developing severe symptoms that can lead to death. He advised those who have not been vaccinated to be extra careful when meeting family members or to get themselves inoculated prior to the Songkran holiday.

 

According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha continues to express concern about the overall situation, especially an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients suffering from lung inflammation.

 

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration recently launched a nationwide campaign to provide vaccine boosters to senior citizens and those in high-risk groups, in a bid to prevent more coronavirus infections during and after the holidays.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-21

 

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[Caldera]

3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

According to DDC data, only 4.2 million senior citizens had received their booster shots as of Saturday, compared to 10 million who had received their second jab. 2.1 million elderly people have yet to receive any COVID injections whatsoever.

With just 3 weeks to go to Songkran, it's pretty obvious that they won't be able to close that gap significantly. Especially when you keep in mind that it takes some 1-2 weeks to even get the benefit from another jab.

Edited March 21, 2022 by Caldera

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Health officials expressed concern over an increase in severe cases and fatalities among people in this group as a result of possible infections occurring during home visits by family members in April to celebrate the traditional new year festival.

Or tell family members not to travel and stay away.

Send good wishes via video/cam.

[Rimmer]

A conspiracy troll post has been removed

[mahtin]

Try reducing the mandatory 6 month wait of 6 months after the second jab to 3 months, as the UK did.

 

Asked, was refused. 74 y.o., with underlying.

Medai.

Amazing(ly inflexible bureaucratic) Thailand.

 

Edit: actually my wife asked when she went for her 3rd and showed my certificate.

At least they looked at it.

Edited March 22, 2022 by mahtin

[rickudon]

Yeah, i had to wait 6 months as well before i could get a booster (before, 2 x Moderna in UK) but little Covid here in Isaan (officially, and somewhat born out by local grapevine). I also decided i needed the booster before Songkran, so went on Monday and got my booster (Pfizer out of stock when i went, so opted for Astrazeneca). Actually Udon Thani has been pretty good at doing vaccinations.

 

Observation - i was probably the only senior citizen there getting vaccinated. Most were kids or middle aged. In my family, everyone has had there 3 shots except daughter (aged 10) who has had one Pfizer; exception - M-in-L and F-in-L who have both declined boosters...... aged over 80, they were the ones who really needed it.