COVID-19 situation and vaccines in Thailand

COVID-19 situation and vaccines in Thailand

2020 the entire world saw the emerging infectious disease or COVID-19 which was caused by the mutation of corona virus. It attacks respiratory tract and the symptoms range from common cold-like to the severe ones. Currently the number of new patients is still increasing worldwide. In Thailand, new waves keep coming and this pandemic never seems to end easily. As we all know that COVID-19 doesn’t impact only people’s health, but also education and society. Upon lock down, most shops and vendors have hard time earing. One of the ways out is COVID-19 vaccination. People all over the world hope that it would slow down the infection rate and its severity to the point where we all can live normally again.

Vaccination in Thailand

2 vaccines are now available in Thailand (as of 31 March 2564) which are 1. Oxford-AstraZeneca which is a viral vector for people from 18 years and above. The injection is administered through the muscle of the upper arm. 2 doses are needed, each dose is 0.5 ml with 10-12 weeks interval. 2. CoronaVac or Sinovac is inactivated virus for people between 18-59 years old. 2 doses are needed, each dose is 0.5 ml with 2-4 weeks interval. Complete doses are highly recommended for the best efficacy and we do not recommend that you switch brands.

Who needs vaccination?

Everyone. However during the first phase there are still limited number of vaccines and information is available in some groups only. The Department of Disease Control therefore stated the order of risk groups in the risk area that will get vaccinated first which are medical staff, people who are 60 years old and above, and people with underlying diseases such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, cancer, DM, obesity (weigh more than 100 kg.), and other personnel whose work is COVID-19 related. These mentioned groups of people were encouraged to register for vaccination on “Mor Prom” application.

There is no information of vaccination in people lower than 18 years old, pregnancy, and lactation period. Precaution has been given to people who has a history of sever allergy to the first dose or to the component of vaccine, whose with uncontrollable chronic cardiovascular diseases with unstable condition, and the nervous system patients with recent onset such as Guillain Barre, Transverse myelitis, etc. They must be under the doctor’s discretion.

Vital signs must be checked before vaccination e.g. body temperature and blood pressure. If the body temperature is higher than 38 degree Celsius or blood pressure is higher than 140/90, vaccination should be postponed. However if the person has mild sickness such as common cold with low fever, vaccination consideration will be considered individually and there is no need to do swab test before the vaccination.

We must admit that we have to live with this disease for quite a long time. Any precaution must therefore be taken strictly i.e. wearing face masks, washing hands frequently, carrying alcohol sanitizer with you, social distancing, avoiding crowded place, staying healthy, and we all will be safe from this disease.