Push to vaccinate 16 million vulnerable Thais suffers early setbacks. The slow uptake is being blamed on two major factors: hiccups on the booking platform and reluctance to receive the jabs amid reports of undesirable side effects. | Thai PBS World

Push to vaccinate 16 million vulnerable Thais suffers early setbacks

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Only about 5 percent of Thailand's vulnerable population have so far booked a free COVID-19 vaccination jab since the government's appointment process was launched on Saturday.

The slow uptake is being blamed on two major factors: hiccups on the booking platform and reluctance to receive the jabs amid reports of undesirable side effects.

At noon on Monday, the Public Health Ministry confirmed 611,277 people had made vaccination appointments on the Mor Prom platform, which operates via an official LINE account and also a mobile app. The government wants to vaccinate 16 million vulnerable Thais – those aged over 60 and people with chronic conditions including diabetes and cancer – by July 31.

The Public Health Ministry is also accepting vaccination appointments via village health volunteers and hospitals, but the online platform is the key channel for bookings.

Doctors (Un) Ready?

The Mor Prom (Doctors Ready) platform has been criticized as "unready" by many users, after their repeated attempts to book a jab proved unsuccessful. Many said they had problems from the very start after they were unable to access the busy platform. Others have found their names missing from the government's list of registered vulnerable people. Some have been unable to choose a hospital from the list displayed.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha explained that some of the vulnerable might not find their name on the platform because they had no hospital health records.

"In such cases, you will have to contact a hospital to put your name on our whitelist first," he said.

The reason people are unable to choose a hospital for vaccination is because they live in a different area from the hospital that holds their health records, he added.

"We have already fixed this problem. You should be able to book now," he said.

Reluctance to get a shot

A 67-year-old resident of Samut Prakan, one of six provinces under maximum COVID-control measures, said she decided not to rush for a jab because of concern over possible side effects.

"I am still healthy. What if the shot ruins my health? Worried about that kind of thing, I prefer to wait. In the meantime, I am taking all precautions to keep COVID-19 away," she said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Her fears are shared by many. A recent survey showed about 27.1 percent of Thais were unsure whether they should get the vaccine and 9.9 percent were determined to avoid the jab altogether.

However, 62.9 percent of the 1,017 respondents surveyed were keen to get vaccinated.

Vaccine chosen for vulnerable groups

The Public Health Ministry has chosen the AstraZeneca vaccine, which will be locally produced by Siam Bioscience, for the elderly and people with chronic respiratory diseases, heart/blood vessel conditions, chronic kidney failure, stroke, obesity, cancer, and diabetes.

According to the official schedule, they must register themselves for the vaccination programme, which will be completed by the end of July.

Unwanted side effects

The World Health Organisation has passed AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine as safe and effective at protecting people from serious risks of the disease, including death, hospitalisation and severe symptoms. Common side effects of the AstraZeneca jab are bruising and tenderness at the injection site, headache, tiredness, muscle or joint aches, fever, chills, and nausea.

However, unusual blood clots have also been listed as an extremely rare side effect. The United Kingdom reported 209 cases of major blood clots in AstraZeneca vaccine recipients as of April 21. These cases resulted in 41 deaths – or about one death per one million people vaccinated. The risk of dying from COVID-19 is estimated to be many times higher.

Because data suggests the risk of blood clots is higher in younger adults, Thailand has decided to use AstraZeneca vaccine for the elderly.

By Thai PBS World's General Desk



After a year of blundering it seems that Thailand still cannot get its virus response right. The Thai authorities recently announced reduced quarantine for visitors and shorter quarantine for vaccinated visitors and after luring in bookings and future trips, in preparation for quarantine free travel to Phuket, the country seems to have changed its mind, again. Bangkok Jack

Seems Thailand doesn't want tourists back this year

May 4, 2021

Come to Thailand for a nice, relaxing holiday

After a year of blundering it seems that Thailand still cannot get its virus response right.

The Thai authorities recently announced reduced quarantine for visitors and shorter quarantine for vaccinated visitors and after luring in bookings and future trips, in preparation for quarantine free travel to Phuket, the country seems to have changed its mind, again.

Thailand had been preparing to welcome vaccinated visitors to Phuket by July, without any quarantine requirements. There is still some last-minute chance that could come true, but in the interim, the country is leaving travellers livid.

Now, Thailand has made overnight changes without any advanced warning, to end shortened quarantine, vaccinated or not, and is returning to a full 14-day quarantine.

This means arrivals from the 6th of May, will land to a bill for a longer stay, and up to another week before they can get out and enjoy the country. All visitors are required to enter a supervised hotel quarantine.

The country is dealing with increasing covid-19 cases, particularly in hotspots including Bangkok, as a slow rollout of the vaccine continues.

For the past six weeks, Thailand allowed a 7-day quarantine for vaccinated travellers and 10 for all non-vaccinated visitors.

Considering the jet lag, 7 days was reasonable to get adjusted with the local time before starting the holidays, therefore many travellers that are eager to return to the country booked their trips on that basis.

The news has left travellers who were willing to endure the 7-to-10-day quarantine, but not 14 days, scrambling to cancel non-refundable trips. It's hard to see how quarantine free travel to Phuket would begin in just two months' time, given this change.

Other tourism-dependent nations are rapidly opening, with either zero, or reduced quarantine for all vaccinated visitors, and exceptions for travellers who test negative.

They have done so by pushing advanced technology to validate travel documents and by diligently working to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

The Maldives has remained open since July, with a negative PCR test required before travel and has now fully vaccinated nearly most of its population. It is done so well, vaccine on arrival will be offered to tourists as an enticement.

Hong Kong and Singapore will open their travel bubble in the weeks to come, while Australia and New Zealand have so far done a great job in launching and managing our own.

Taiwan will welcome vaccinated travellers with a reduced quarantine from mid-May as well. Europe is full steam ahead with quarantine free travel for vaccinated travellers or those with a PCR test proving to be virus free.

Yet in Thailand, plans keep changing to the detriment of travellers. Newly announced local lockdowns mean any visitors would have little to do anyway. Eventually, it could crush future interest in visiting. – TravelDailyMedia

Cases drop in Chonburi this morning to 91 new and confirmed Covid-19 infections discovered Tuesday, 4 May 2021, 9:13. Pattaya News



Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 91 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 this morning (May 4th), a decline from yesterday that saw 153 cases.

This makes a total of 2,855 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,611 still in medical care, with seven recorded deaths since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 1,237 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. Over a hundred people were released yesterday alone.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi with 25, Si Racha 16, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 18, Phanat Nikhom 2, Sattahip 2, Ban Bueng 1, Pan Thong 4, Koh Jan 6, Nong Yai 2, and 5 patients from other provinces transferred to Chonburi for medical care.

The details on today's cases given were:

1. Lives in Bangkok, moved to Chonburi 1 case
2. A private party in the province, 4 cases
3. A risky occupation, meeting 2 people. The exact occupation was not named.
4.1 3 people who went to funerals with prior confirmed patients
4.2 A family of 5
4.3 2 people from local workplaces and prior confirmed patients.
5.People who traveled from other provinces:
5.1 Bangkok, 7 cases
5.2 Rayong Province: 2 people
5.3 Prachinburi 1 person
6. Under investigation- 34 cases
7. Also under investigation, another 30 cases.
Today, a total of 242 contacts were searched, and 1,231 more proactive ones were searched (pending results).
Aggressive searching, 715 more royal vehicles

In the last day, a total of 242 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 1231 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community. All are pending results. Additionally, another 715 people were tested from Royal mobile testing vans and are also waiting for results as officials step up aggressive community testing.

Chonburi officials are asking people to continue to stay home, socially distance, and follow other Covid-19 related measures to control the situation. Chonburi officially became deep red according to a government zoning program based on Covid19 cases, which brings additional restrictions for at least two weeks such as the closure of dine-in at restaurants.

Chonburi Public Health officials stated that a sharp increase of cases being traced from family members and home gatherings were being found, warning residents that the majority of cases were now at home and not businesses.  The vast majority of cases are asymptomatic and many people did not know they were infected, officials added.

Thai travel agent offers “Vaccine Tour" to US for 76,000 baht. Thai Visa / Daily News



Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that comment online was rife after a tour company promoted a trip to the United States with a Johnson and Johnson vaccine as part of the deal.

 

For as little as 76,000 baht for ten days seven nights (in a group booking) you could fly to San Francisco under the "Chim Chop Chiit" tour.

 

This is a play on a promotion that took place in Thailand last year and translates as "Eat Shop and get vaccinated". 

 

Hotels, Sprinter car and driver, visits to tourism places, breakfast, vaccine charges and insurance were all included.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

As were all arrangements for the all important return trip to Thailand arranged through the Thai embassy in the US. 

 

Potential travellers were enticed by thoughts of going to the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, shopping in Union Square - then the all important J and J vax - then a spell on the beaches of Santa Barbara and Malibu before returning happy and most importantly, vaccinated to Thailand. 

 

Daily News said that many people found this most amusing. 

 

 

4/5 uppsummerat

 

Expats over 60 and with underlying conditions can register for free Covid vaccinations in June & July. Thai Examiner

Foreign residents and expats who are over 60 or have an underlying disease can register now for the second wave of the Thai government's vaccination process with inoculations scheduled to be carried out in June and July. The vaccine will be free. It comes as the third virus wave crisis shows no sign yet of slowing down and with a warning from top virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan that everything must be done to secure the country's southern border with Malaysia where 31% of infections are linked to the South African variant of the disease which threatens to stymie the kingdom's vaccination effort even before it gets into full gear with only 2% of the population vaccinated to date.

Expats over 60 and with underlying health conditions are being advised to contact their hospitals or medical facilities to register for the second phase of the Thai government's vaccination programme which will see free vaccines rolled out in June and July primarily driven by the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Thailand. It comes as Dr Yong Poovorawan (centre) is warning the government that the South African variant of the virus, B1351, is circulating in Malaysia and that it must not be allowed to cross into Thailand across its southern border as it is problematic for vaccines especially the AstraZeneca jab.

Foreign residents in Thailand are currently entitled to register for the second phase of the kingdom's vaccination programme after the government this week confirmed that access to vaccines will be free for all residents of the country.

It comes on a Sunday that saw the country report its highest daily number of fatalities since the crisis began at 21 with a dramatic rise in those reported to be in a serious condition, up 325% since April 21st to 829 cases and those on ventilators up by 259% in the same period to 270.

There are currently 28,745 people recorded as hospitalised from the disease.

Registration app and hospitals taking bookings from those eligible to be vaccinated including foreigners

Thailand, on Saturday, launched an app where people over 60 or with an underlying illness can register for the second phase. 

The Mor Prom (Doctors Ready) app was reported quickly to be overloaded although Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the main spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), encouraged the public to be patient as there was plenty of time to get registered for the vaccine rollout which will primarily take place in June and July.

'The Mor Prom Line OA is simply one of the registration channels. Today is the first day and is not the last. There are several other days people can register,' Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said. 'If it's not possible today, try again tomorrow. All eligible people should register and the data will be compared with the database in their areas. If all goes well, they can get the shots.'

16 million people targeted in the second phase

This second stage of the vaccine programme will see an eligible population of 11.7 million people over 60 and 4.3 million with underlying conditions such as respiratory illnesses, heart disease, kidney issues or diabetes qualify to be vaccinated primarily with the AstraZeneca jab.

Officials, in recent days, have confirmed the Siam Bioscience facility in Pathum Thani has been approved to churn out doses of the vaccine which is deemed suitable for adults and those over 60 years of age in Thailand.

2% of the population have been vaccinated as expats without Thai ID cannot use the online application

Over the weekend, it was confirmed that 1.5 million people or just over 2% of the population have now been vaccinated. 

It has also been disclosed that before the LINE app failed under heavy demand on Saturday, 280,050 people had registered to be inoculated.

While expats and foreigners are provided for under the vaccine rollout, the LINE app only had provision for the input of Thai national identity numbers.

Expats with a Thai ID or 'pink' registration card can use this service while those living in the kingdom who use their national passport as their main ID, cannot.

Officials suggest that, for now, expats or foreign residents should contact their local hospital or medical facility to book an appointment if they are over 60 or have an underlying condition.

Officials confident that a network of hospitals and medical facilities with private sector supports can inoculate up to 500,000 people per day

The current plan being coordinated by the government and led by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) suggests that up to 500,000 people per day can be vaccinated at hospitals and medical facilities while private sector locations, including shopping centres, are also being used.

The third phase of the programme, for which registration will take place in June and July, will see up to 31 million people, all adults between 18 and 59 years of age, vaccinated from August through to the end of the year with a combination of the AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines depending on their age and suitability.

Political tension is building despite assurances of unity from government spokesmen as the virus rages through the population with record numbers dead

It comes as there are roiling tensions within the Thai parliament and within the coalition government over the handling of the crisis and the cause of the outbreak which may yet be the subject of a parliamentary committee hearing after Palang Pracharat Party MP from Bangkok, Sira Jenjaka, has promised to call key officials and even a number of cabinet ministers before his committee in relation to the beginning of the outbreak at Thong Lor nightlife venues. 

COVID-19 situation in Thailand is nearing critical point – Dr. Prasit Wattanapha. PBS World



The COVID-19 situation in Thailand is approaching a critical level, with daily new infection and fatality rates on the rise, said Dr. Prasit Wattanapha, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Mahidol University, as he urged cooperation from everyone by keeping their guard up and wearing face masks all the time, even at home.

In a three-minute video clip, released before the CCSA press conference today (Monday), Dr. Prasit said that the COVID-19 situation today is totally different from that a year ago, when the government eased the restrictions imposed during the initial outbreak.

Today, he said, infections are on the rise and the fatality rate, which was 0.12% of all infections, has increased to 0.36%.

"This means we are approaching the critical level," said the dean, as he sought full public cooperation, adding "because the figures this week show new infections are happening at home, among family members and friends."

"We don't know who will bring the disease into our house. We must observe social distancing and regularly wash our hands, which is a duty for everyone," he said.

Dr. Prasit urged Thai people to trust COVID-19 vaccines, stressing that it is a tool to "make us safe", as he dismissed all the rumours about the negatives or side effects of vaccines.

He noted at there are only about 4 cases of undesirable side effects from vaccines in every one million people inoculated.

"Vaccination is not just for your own safety, but for the safety of your loved ones as well," he said as he urged everyone to get inoculated.

Meanwhile, the CCSA held a special meeting today, to discuss vaccination of people living in the Khlong Toey slum, where COVID-19 infections are spreading rapidly, due to the cramped living conditions.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chaired the CCSA meeting, ordered vaccinations in Khlong Toey to be sped up.

The vaccination campaign will start tomorrow, targeting 1,000 people per day, increasing to as many as 3,000 until May 19^th, when about 20,000 people, of the 80,000 living in the slum, will have been inoculated, said the governor. 

Bangkok Post highlights 4/5.



4/5



  🔴 BREAKING: Thai health ministry reporting 27 deaths and 1,763 new cases on Tuesday. Full update at 11:30am.

30 Apr: 1,583 - 15 dead

1 May: 1,891 - 21 dead

2 May: 1,940 - 21 dead 

3 May: 2,041- 31 dead 

4 May: 1,763 - 27 dead <— TODAY

Tens of thousands of staff in Chonburi factories and businesses to be tested for Covid – 19 Monday, 3 May 2021, 21:19. Pattaya News



Chonburi –

About 33,000 staffers in "high-risk" industries and businesses in Chonburi are set to be tested for Covid -19 as part of a major increase in proactive case finding in the province said prominent Thai officials this afternoon.

Today, (May 3^rd), a meeting was held at the Chonburi City Hall led by the assistant of Minister of Labour Mr. Surachai Chaitrakunthong together with business and industry operators and owners.

Chonburi is targeting to test 33,530 staffers in businesses and industries in the province that are deemed "high risk", such as factories or construction sites that employ hundreds of people where social distancing can be difficult and that are still currently open.  The province has previously been conducting testing at "high risk" locations to the public, like entertainment venues, supermarket staff, taxi drivers, and similar places but are now shifting focus due to concerns about factories and similar locations.

This proactive case finding will be started within this week according to Chonburi officials. The testing will be free, but per Thailand policy, anyone who tests positive, even asymptomatic, will be required to do a medical quarantine under supervision at a hospital, field hospital, or "hospitel" which are former quarantine hotels.

The increase in testing is part of an overall plan for Chonburi, currently, one of six deep red provinces, to hopefully track down asymptomatic carriers of the virus and stop the spread of Covid-19 that has deeply hurt the tourist reliant province, especially Pattaya City.



Interest in moving out of Thailand takes Internet by storm | Among countries of most apparent interest are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Malaysia. Many members also sympathise with the current anti-government movement. Thai PBS World

Interest in moving out of Thailand takes Internet by storm

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In just two days, over half a million Thais have joined a new Facebook group called "Let's Move Abroad", amid increasing criticism of the Thai government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic and political issues.

Countless posts by over 524,500 members of the group ask for tips on studying and working abroad in certain fields, while those who have lived abroad promoted countries where they stayed with beautiful photos.

Among countries of most apparent interest are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Malaysia. Many members also sympathise with the current anti-government movement.

"I really dislike this country in terms of its system of governing and certain people. I want to change the country, but I think relocating is easier," said Piyawat Janta, a member who is looking to the US.

"The group was created to compile information on life in other countries and to exchange tips on how to move abroad, like how to obtain visas etc. It's not aimed at taking political jabs, although it's undeniable that this interest in moving abroad also political, otherwise there wouldn't be this many members," said the creator and administrator of the group, who wished to remain anonymous.

The creator, who owns seven restaurants and pubs in Bangkok, and has been impacted financially by the government's restrictive measures, most notably the current ban on dining in and on-site alcohol consumption, said he has been thinking about doing business elsewhere for a while, but the last straw was the government's mishandling of the pandemic and the failures of the country's justice system.

He cited the repeated denial of bail for prominent anti-establishment leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, who has been on hunger strike for almost 50 days and is now in hospital.

"I initially expected something like 50 members. I believe it's the hopelessness in this country that got so many people joining the group," the businessman said, adding "but this doesn't mean we don't care about our country. We can leave responsibly and continue to push for positive change from afar," he added.

Thailand has been suffering a third wave of COVID-19 infections since early April, which began in clusters in Thonglor nightclubs, resulting in a new round of restrictive measures that have ordered many venues to close. The new wave is spreading much faster than last year, with almost new 2,000 infections a day, due to more transmissible new variants of the virus.

Over 1.47 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Thailand to date. About 200,000 people over 60 and in at risk groups have registered for the British AstraZeneca vaccine, now being manufactured in Thailand for delivery in June.

As of today, a Change.org petition, to oust Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for the slow vaccine rollout and failure to prevent the new wave, has attracted over 36,000 signatures.

By Hathai Techakitteranun 

Ranking of 10 provinces with highest COVID-19 transmission, as of 3 May 2021. PRD



Covid19 cases in Chonburi, home of Pattaya, rise to 153 new and confirmed positive cases Monday, 3 May 2021, 11:04. Pattaya News



Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 153 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 with one additional death this morning (May 3^rd), following a major increase in community testing.

This makes a total of 2,764 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,636 still in medical care, with seven recorded deaths since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 1,121 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. Today's cases marked an overall increase in infections but were driven by a major increase in community testing.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi with 59, Si Racha 17, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 70, Koh Jan 5, and two patients from other provinces transferred to Chonburi for medical care.

The details on today's cases given were:

1. One close contact patient from parties and went to Sukhothai.
2. Contacts from previous confirmed cases, mostly family, and in the process of investigation
3. In the process of investigation from active case finding, 39
4. In the process of investigation, 31

In the last day, a total of 196 close contacts were being tested from contact tracing, and 1557 people were being tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community. All are pending results. Additionally another 1,146 people were tested from mobile testing vans and are also waiting for results as officials step up aggressive community testing.

Chonburi officials are asking people to continue to stay home, socially distance, and follow other Covid-19 related measures to control the situation. Chonburi officially became deep red according to a government zoning program based on Covid19 cases, which brings additional restrictions for at least two weeks such as closure of dine-in at restaurants. 

8 hospitals across Thailand forced to close after healthcare workers contract Covid-19. Eight hospitals in Thailand have been temporarily closed after their medical personnel became infected with COVID-19, or had to be quarantined, because a number of patients concealed facts about their infections. PBS World







Eight hospitals in Thailand have been temporarily closed after their medical personnel became infected with COVID-19, or had to be quarantined, because a number of patients concealed facts about their infections.

The hospitals are:

• Mae Sai Hospital in Chiang Rai province, closed until May 16th. 88 medics quarantined.
• Chumsaeng Hospital in Nakhon Sawan province, closed until May 7th. 1 medic infected.
• Ruam Paet Chai Nat Hospital 1 in Chai Nat province, closed until May 12th. 1 medic infected.
• Nong Muang Hospital in Lop Buri province, closed until May 14th. 1 one employee infected.
• Samphran Hospital in Nakhon Pathom province, surgical ward closed until May 10th. 40 medics quarantined.
• Bor Phud Hospital on Samui Island in Surat Thani province, closed until May 14th. 7 medics quarantined.
• Pipoon Hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, closed until tomorrow. 2 medics infected.
• Ratsada Hospital in Trang province, closed until May 31st. 34 medics infected.