Health Min confirms private COVID-19 vaccines imports are allowed - NNT



 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has reiterated it is not blocking private organizations from importing COVID-19 vaccines, pointing out it has already registered three for the process and is considering a fourth.

 

Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dr. Paisan Dankhum said today there are no blockages to private sector members importing COVID-19 vaccine and encouraged such organizations to seek registration.

 

He said 14 companies have so far submitted documentation for approval.

 

• Three already given the go-ahead, namely AstraZeneca (Thailand), the Government Pharmaceutical Organization and Janssen-Cilag.
• Biogenetech is currently being vetted.
• Another 10 companies have yet to submit all needed documentation to the FDA and will be reviewed in terms of safety, quality and efficacy.

 

The administration has created an express channel for consideration but is maintaining international standards with the process taking up to 30 days from document submission.

 

Hospitals are allowed to utilize the imported vaccines of private firms but must register recipients due to the emergency nature of their use so that any side effects can be tracked.

 

Meanwhile, Director of the National Vaccine Institute Dr. Nakorn Premsri addressed questions to do with the mutated strain of the COVID-19 virus and its vaccine, saying negotiations to receive the specific inoculation would at the soonest mean shots becoming available in October. He said careful consideration of the circumstances is needed as viruses are constantly evolving.