Omicron Booster and Pandemic-weary Thailand

[webfact]

 

Article by Silada Rojratanakiat

 

Everything appears to be calm on the Covid front in Thailand. Even though the virus is still spreading, the number of weekly cases has dropped below 10,000, and the number of deaths last week was less than 100. Furthermore, the Thai Public Health Ministry has already declared that Covid-19 will be downgraded from a dangerous communicable disease to "communicable under surveillance" beginning October 1.

 

Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will likewise discontinue its function, and the country will lift a Covid-19 state of emergency that has been in effect for two and a half years.

 

The urgency around Covid-19 had waned as fatalities and infections fell to lower levels. As a result, the news regarding a new and different booster did not get around.

 

The new booster, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in August, is a bivalent vaccine. It is designed to protect against both the circulating omicron subvariants and the original strain of the virus.

 

The expectation is that by better matching the vaccine booster to the circulating strain, people will have longer-lasting protection.

 

Those who receive the bivalent booster are expected to have greater levels of virus-fighting antibodies than those who receive the original booster.

 

The antibodies produced can better bind to and neutralize not just the original and BA.1 viruses but also almost all the other known variants, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron BA.4 and BA.5.

 

Thailand should receive the latest generation of vaccines next year. Meanwhile, pandemic-related news has faded into the background, and local vaccination efforts have quietly terminated.

 

Expect little pomp and circumstance when the Omicron-specific vaccine finally arrives. Even now, the news of the bivalent booster is so downplayed that some Thais looking to get boosted are unaware of the new shot.

What is the current standing with boosters in Thailand?

 

Most vaccinated people never received a boost because they assumed they were immune enough from earlier doses or diseases. There are many who did not receive the last booster, and there are those who do not intend to receive the latest one.

 

Most common complaint is Omicron has caused many breakthrough infections among the vaccinated; therefore, any booster would not be beneficial.

 

Some vaccinated adults cannot afford to miss work or deal with another booster’s inconvenience or adverse effects. The bivalent booster dose is predicted to have the same adverse effects as the existing vaccines, including redness and swelling where the shot was provided, weariness, headache, and muscular pain on occasion.

 

The general rate of current immunization has slowed. Around 77% of Thais are completely vaccinated with the first two doses, but just 46% have received any booster shot. No region in Thailand has a third dose vaccination rate of more than 50%.

 

Most of the booster receivers are in Bangkok. Currently, the work of identifying and scheduling jabs has mainly been left to people. Many mass vaccination stations are now closed. Some initiatives that delivered immunizations directly to communities via vans or door-to-door nurses have been scaled back or discontinued entirely.

Why get a new booster?

 

Even if one is not afraid of developing a severe case of Covid-19, the risk of long covid must be considered. While healthy persons vaccinated and experienced an uncomplicated breakthrough infection are at considerably lower risk of severe disease even without a booster, they should avoid becoming ill or limit their risk of long Covid.

 

The most excellent defense against long covid is to prevent contracting Covid because there is currently no specific cure for long Covid symptoms.

 

Indeed, variants can cause breakthroughs, but vaccines still prevent significant illnesses and death even more so. Variants developed to avoid the initial layer of antibody protection created by previous shots or infections, even though protection against severe illness remained relatively high.

 

The bivalent vaccine can significantly reduce evasion. Beyond the personal advantages, boosters can assist prevent disease transmission by lowering infections in the first place and so help protect the most vulnerable.

 

Exposure to multiple forms of boosters strengthens and broadens the types of antibodies produced, including those that can operate against future strains.

 

This bivalent character will give a superior response not just to today’s most dangerous variants but also to future variants since when the immune system encounters several types of the same virus, it creates broader defenses overall.

 

The new boosters are expected to do even more in the future, such as providing more robust protection against future versions by better training antibodies and memory cells, two separate immune system components.

What can Thai government do?

 

Establishing trust, being honest and upfront, and making immunization simpler are all things the government can do. Everyone should be told about the benefits of boosters, and elderly and medically weaker persons should be cautioned of the ongoing dangers posed by Covid-19.

 

The Omicron-specific booster should not be introduced slowly or quietly next year. When the time comes, Thai authorities should relaunch incentives and mass vaccination campaigns to urge the public to get a jab.

 

The bivalent booster will be one of the final weapons in Thailand’s armory against Covid-19, as the country has dropped most restrictions for masking, quarantining, or distancing, as the smoldering pandemic has gone into the background for many. The new booster will put Thailand to the test after the panic about Covid has subsided.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220924223304769

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-09-26

 

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[alyx]

I only got vaccinated because it has allowed me to travel.

Last year, in Europe I have had Janssen and, six months later, Pfizer before being vaccinated with  Moderna in Thailand earlier this year.

I thought that was it but, planning to go to a country where an under 9 month proof of vaccination  is required, I had a 4th vaccine a couple of weeks ago, Novavax, in Europe again. 

It also seems that i will go for the latter again in a couple of weeks.

Hopefully they will stop this nonsense and this Covid will be forgotten as it should be

[khunjeff]

I kind of like not being sick or dead, so I get all the shots and boosters that are recommended by the experts. Since I knew it would take Thailand months to discuss and debate and dilly-dally the new bivalent booster, I went ahead and got it last week in the US. Hopefully that should keep me for a while. 

[WorriedNoodle]

Being up to date on vaccinations is a condition of my employment so I just do it. Makes no difference to me, I don't feel any different after getting a vaccine and it makes sure my fellow workers are safe also.

[Bim Smith]

2 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Being up to date on vaccinations is a condition of my employment so I just do it. Makes no difference to me, I don't feel any different after getting a vaccine and it makes sure my fellow workers are safe also.

I'm curious. Why you getting a vaccination is keeping your fellow workers safe. A vaccine only protects the recipient. That, historically always been the case 

[ezzra]

It seems that, for Thailand, under 10,000 infection and under a 100 dead a week is something to take lightly and it's time to downgrade and drop our guards, all is well when now, 'only under 40,000 infected and under 400 dead a month'...

[nobodysfriend]

It seems that those who predicted that the virus will wane or fade away were finally right ... luckily .

Still , the reasons why it appeared in the first place have to be eliminated .

[kwonitoy]

2 hours ago, Bim Smith said:

I'm curious. Why you getting a vaccination is keeping your fellow workers safe. A vaccine only protects the recipient. That, historically always been the case 

Being up to date on vaccinations is a condition of my employment

[James105]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Everyone should be told about the benefits of boosters, and elderly and medically weaker persons should be cautioned of the ongoing dangers posed by Covid-19.

As with any medication, people should not just be told about the benefits, but also the risks associated with a vaccine so they can make an informed decision.  Hiding this information or censoring it on social media does not inspire confidence.   

[thailand49]

18 minutes ago, kwonitoy said:

Being up to date on vaccinations is a condition of my employment

You should have put it in all CAPS!   People forget as it is their choice it is also yours! 

[jacko45k]

37 minutes ago, Bim Smith said:

I'm curious. Why you getting a vaccination is keeping your fellow workers safe. A vaccine only protects the recipient. That, historically always been the case 

It is effectively a block on transmission, he is no longer a potential conduit of Covid as he will not become infected, or be infectious as long.  I am curious why so many cannot figure this out... 

Like a firebreak!

[BKKBike09]

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

It is effectively a block on transmission

Since when? 

[Shocked farang]

52 minutes ago, Bim Smith said:

I'm curious. Why you getting a vaccination is keeping your fellow workers safe. A vaccine only protects the recipient. That, historically always been the case 

The logic of mass vaccination is that when you protect yourself you are also protecting everyone you come in contact with. As simple as that. 

[Shocked farang]

I have already received 4 shots (3 Pfizer and 1 J&J), now here in Thailand I will receive my 5th shot (Moderna), for those who are interested Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok has Moderna shots for 1000 B, just buy through the website (until the end of the month). 

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, BKKBike09 said:

Since when? 

Since the first time application... that was around December 2020. 

[Eleftheros]

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

I kind of like not being sick or dead, so I get all the shots and boosters that are recommended by the experts. Since I knew it would take Thailand months to discuss and debate and dilly-dally the new bivalent booster, I went ahead and got it last week in the US. Hopefully that should keep me for a while. 

I kind of like not being sick or dead, so I avoided all the shots and boosters that are recommended by the "experts".

 

My strong suspicion is that those who avoided the vaccines, opposed lockdowns and mask-wearing, stood up for the UN's Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights are going to be seen, in the near future, to have been on the right side of history.

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, Bim Smith said:

1 hour ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Being up to date on vaccinations is a condition of my employment so I just do it. Makes no difference to me, I don't feel any different after getting a vaccine and it makes sure my fellow workers are safe also.

I'm curious. Why you getting a vaccination is keeping your fellow workers safe. A vaccine only protects the recipient. That, historically always been the case 

If he receives the vaccine he stands a smaller chance of getting the virus and infecting his fellow workers. Simple as that.

[stoner]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

It seems that, for Thailand, under 10,000 infection and under a 100 dead a week is something to take lightly and it's time to downgrade and drop our guards, all is well when now, 'only under 40,000 infected and under 400 dead a month'...

8 deaths yesterday. about 400 or 500 percent more died on the roads. 

[James105]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

It is effectively a block on transmission, he is no longer a potential conduit of Covid as he will not become infected, or be infectious as long.  I am curious why so many cannot figure this out... 

Like a firebreak!

Someone should tell the Pfizer CEO about this as he has become infected for the second time in 6 weeks.    Based on your logic this suggests that the people he works with are unvaccinated as otherwise how could this have happened?   

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-ceo-tests-positive-covid-2022-09-24/

[Shocked farang]

11 minutes ago, James105 said:

Someone should tell the Pfizer CEO about this as he has become infected for the second time in 6 weeks.    Based on your logic this suggests that the people he works with are unvaccinated as otherwise how could this have happened?   

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-ceo-tests-positive-covid-2022-09-24/

No. The Omicron variants are much more transmissible and who knows how the got infected. He probably is also clueless about it. 

Edited September 26, 2022 by Shocked farang

[jacko45k]

17 minutes ago, James105 said:

Someone should tell the Pfizer CEO about this as he has become infected for the second time in 6 weeks.    Based on your logic this suggests that the people he works with are unvaccinated as otherwise how could this have happened?   

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-ceo-tests-positive-covid-2022-09-24/

It is a factor of the much more infectious Omicron, and what appears to be a strain the vaccinations are now less effective on. Someone should tell the chairman of Pfizer to keep his mask on too....  

He is not a particularly good advert for his product is he!

[Sametboy2019]

Removing all restrictions and downgrading the virus yet pushing pfizer vaccines for 6 month to 5 year olds.........Amazing Thailand!

[TKDfella]

Ah well, perhaps another virus will come along so that the emergency status can be reinstated...Corona related Khosta 2 maybe? I hear that present vaccines for Sars will be ineffective.

[jacko45k]

7 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

Ah well, perhaps another virus will come along so that the emergency status can be reinstated...Corona related Khosta 2 maybe? I hear that present vaccines for Sars will be ineffective.

Fortunately, there are usually years between them, but yes, there will be. 

[Troy Tempest]

2 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

It seems that those who predicted that the virus will wane or fade away were finally right ... luckily .

Still , the reasons why it appeared in the first place have to be eliminated .

Well that could be any number of the 1.45+ Billion Chinese you would need to eliminate!......

 

I welcome comments???

[wwest5829]

From the article stating that the latest bivalent vaccine will be available in Thailand next year, sounds like I can get this booster during a planned trip to the USA after the New Year.

[carlf]

3 hours ago, Bim Smith said:

I'm curious. Why you getting a vaccination is keeping your fellow workers safe. A vaccine only protects the recipient. That, historically always been the case 

I understand your scepticisme as we've often been told that the COVID vaccines don't necessarily prevent catching COVID, but they're very good at reducing the risk of SEVERE illness.  BUT.... numerous articles clearly indicate that getting vaccinated DOES indeed significantly reduce the probabilities of infecting others.  See, for example, 
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2294250-how-much-less-likely-are-you-to-spread-covid-19-if-youre-vaccinated/

 

[Johnnyngai]

My 92 year old mother lives with me,

I will be getting my 5th shot before my next trip. 

I get the shots for my mother.  

[LatPhrao]

4 hours ago, Bim Smith said:

I'm curious. Why you getting a vaccination is keeping your fellow workers safe. A vaccine only protects the recipient. That, historically always been the case 

Because it protects one from getting infected AND SPREADING IT TO OTHERS.  Even the dim who lack understanding of how transmissable diseases work.

[phetphet]

Seems a bit pointless for this article to talk about the bivalent vaccine here in Thailand when they don't have a clue when it will be available here.

 

"Thailand should receive the latest generation of vaccines next year." gives us a three to fifteen month window from now.

 

If I can get one next time I am out of the country I will. Not because I think it will give me immunity. I caught C-19 while triple vaccinated. But because I think it will lessen the severity of any infection.